KINGSTON, R.I. — Sept. 4, 2024 — The University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein College of Education hosted 25 international English language teachers from 16 countries in a cultural exchange program that provided a platform for the educators to share and develop best practices for integrating service learning into English language classrooms.

The program, Service Learning Best Practices for English Language Classrooms,was held July 14 to July 28, and included participants from Algeria, Bangladesh, China, India, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia and Ukraine.

The program was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of English Language Programs through the English Access Scholarship Program, and administered by FHI 360, a nonprofit human development organization, through the English Access Scholarship Program.

Twenty of the participants work in elementary and secondary schools, and five at the university level.

“As teachers of English, we have the power to change the world one lesson at a time,” said Ikram Debbouza, an English teacher from Morocco.

During their stay, the participants visited the Nuestro Mundo Dual Language Program and the Providence Public School District’s Summer Academy to gain practical insights into bilingual education and urban schooling, and experienced cultural immersion activities at the Tomaquag Museum. They explored the Rhode Island coastline and spent time with local host families who gave them a deeper understanding of Rhode Island’s rich cultural heritage.

The educators also met with Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore during a visit to the Rhode Island State House, joined a legislative session led by Rep. David Morales (D-Prov.), and attended a violence prevention workshop presented by the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies.

Other workshops focused on integrating service learning into English language curricula, promoting culturally responsive teaching, and assessing the impact of service learning projects designed to equip participants with practical tools to enhance their teaching methods and foster cross-cultural understanding.

“Service learning is a powerful tool that not only boosts language proficiency, but also fosters civic engagement and social responsibility,” said Mariam Mostafa, coordinator of English language programs at URI. “Through this program, we aimed to cultivate a sense of global citizenship among educators, empowering them to pass their values to their students.”

Mostafa said the participants left with a wealth of knowledge, practical tools, and a renewed sense of inspiration to implement service-learning in their own contexts. The program’s emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration helped them build bridges between diverse educational communities, promoting mutual understanding and respect.

Mostafa explained that as the educators return to their respective countries, they are equipped to use service learning as a tool to enrich English language education and contribute to the development of socially conscious global citizens. The program, she said, stands as a testament to the power of collaborative learning and the transformative potential of service learning in education.

“Service learning is a path opener for learners to be advocates in their community,” said Amanda Christine Wong, a teacher from Malaysia.

For many of the participants, this exchange program was their first time in the United States and the uniqueness of Rhode Island, especially the ocean, clambakes and spending time with host families, left a lasting impression. For Divya Chandana, academics manager of Franchise Schools in India, it was the Del’s lemonade that she won’t soon forget.

“Each international educator who engaged in this professional development program went back to their prospective countries and classrooms with a plan to implement their own service learning program, setting into motion a domino effect of impact throughout the world,” said Colleen Rossignol, URI’S coordinator of global education and partnerships.

Going forward, URI’s College of Education will expand global connections through newly developed short term exchange programs.