International Programs Welcomes Cohort 7 of Pakistani English Teachers

UNO’s International Program’s Center for Afghanistan and Regional Studies welcomed 29 Pakistani English teachers this past weekend. The group will be in the U.S. for a six-week teacher training and cultural exchange program. The participants represent diverse provinces in Pakistan and are the seventh group that have come to UNO since the Spring of 2022. Pakistan Excellence and Achievement (TEA) English Language Teacher Exchange is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan and in partnership with Vision Building Future (VBF), a Pakistani NGO. The program promotes the development of English language skills, knowledge of current English Language Teaching (ELT) pedagogies, exposure to technology related to teaching and teaching management systems, how to conduct a community of practice, and instruction in leadership skills. These professional development opportunities were accomplished through a blend of classroom and field experiences and in partnership with several departments including UNO’s Intensive Language at UNO (ILUNO), International Professional Development (IPD), Teacher Education, Department of English, Service-Learning Academy, Community Engagement Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Writing Center, Foreign Languages and Literature, and Educational Leadership. Participants also visit local schools to gain firsthand knowledge of education in the U.S. Each participant returns home with a unique final leadership project to be completed in their local communities. Topics for leadership plans of TEA alumni included: the importance of E-Learning and technology, positive reinforcement in the classroom, taking care of the environment, random acts of kindness, women’s empowerment through education, summer and winter vacation camps for children, and professional development workshops. Besides the professional development aspect of the program, the participants will experience a variety of cultural visits on the weekends as well as trips to South Dakota and Washington, DC. A celebration of Pakistani culture will be held by the participants on September 5th in the atrium of the Milo Bail Student Center from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. This event is free and open to the community.