Article: Internationalizing Colleges of Education

From http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/global_learning/2013/04/internationalizing_colleges_of_education.html

Internationalizing Colleges of Education
By Anthony Jackson
April 27, 2013

University administrators in the United States are increasingly identifying internationalization as key a component in their strategic plans, and they are working to develop international programs and offices at their institutions to support these goals. They are beginning to recognize that globally competent graduates are more marketable in today's workforce. Institutions are working to provide more study abroad and exchange opportunities, develop partnerships with institutions overseas, bring international students to their campuses, and infuse curricula with global perspectives.

There appears to be a gap between wider internationalization efforts in universities and those in colleges of education.

Teacher preparation programs face unique challenges when working to internationalize. They require specific courses, certification tests, state requirements, and student teaching—all elements that often discourage education majors from studying abroad or seeking out courses that offer global perspectives. It is not surprising to learn that Open Doors reports that only 4% of education students studied abroad during the 2011-2012 academic year. A recent study of 40 U.S. campuses indicates that over 60% of education students have no foreign language requirement, and that very few study another language.

Read the full article at http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/global_learning/2013/04/internationalizing_colleges_of_education.html