Announcement from U.S. Embassy Hanoi for Vietnamese secondary teachers of English

Dear English Teachers,

If you are Vietnamese secondary teachers of English, we would love to invite you to participate in a professional development project initiated by one of the U.S. Embassy Hanoi sponsored English Language Fellows. Please find below a description of the project. If you are interested in joining, please register for this opportunity at:http://form.jotform.us/form/51592772552158 by Monday, June 15. We will follow up to let you know if you are selected and next steps of this interesting program.

International Skype Conversations for Professional Development among Teachers

Goal:

To connect pairs of secondary (5-12 grade) teachers from Vietnam and the US for professional development via Skype video chat and social media.

Description:

The world is a complex place and real connection is possible between cultures and teachers. This project aims to connect pairs of secondary (5-12 grade) teachers from Vietnam and the United States for professional development and cultural exchange via Skype video chat and social media.

In this pilot project, 5-10 Vietnamese teachers and 5-10 US teachers will be paired and given each other’s Skype and email information. The two teachers will contact each other and set up a one hour Skype meeting, as their schedules allow, meeting once a week or twice a month. A conversational worksheet will be provided with suggestions for possible topics and ideas for possible collaboration including reflection questions and connecting their classrooms. At the end of one month and periodically, participants will be asked how the Skype sessions are going and ask about any challenges and learning that have occurred.

Through this project, all of the teachers and students involved will learn about teaching, classes, and each other in ways, that a few years ago, were not possible. This opportunity to connect is possible now with modern technology ( Skype and videos can be recorded/exchanged on laptops or cell phones!) and these worlds, perspectives, and idea exchanges are now open to foster international Professional Development and collaboration. Everyone will benefit from this valuable learning experience.