Study Abroad Opportunity for Teachers of Russian

From http://mblog.lib.umich.edu/CREES/archives/study_abroad

Study Abroad Opportunity for Teachers of Russian
Russian Teachers for the 21st Century: Maximizing Teaching Effectiveness by Immersing into Language, Culture and Standard-Based Teaching
Deadline to submit application: December 1, 2013

The main goal of our project is to provide intensive professional development to current and emerging U.S. teachers of Russian Language from multiple institutions across the country at the K-12 and college level. The corresponding objectives are: (1) to improve their language proficiency as well as their expertise with standard-based teaching and testing used in the U.S. and Russia, and (2) to immerse them into contemporary Russian life.

A group of 12 educators will travel to Moscow, Russia for four weeks to participate in intensive workshops focused on language training (43 hours), tester training (43 hours) and culture (60 hours). Based on each participant’s tested language level, each member will be placed into one of two groups (Intensive Language Learning or TORFL Tester Training). Additionally, an extensive online pre-departure training seminar (20 hours) will help participants leverage the program in Russia. Also, follow-up webinars and a final online conference (6 hours) after they return from Russian will guide participants in transforming their experiences into multimedia teaching materials. The culture module of our program includes various unique features to maximize the participants’ professional development (Lectures delivered by professionals from various geographical regions in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk and Vladivostok) to provide an in-depth look into contemporary Russia; cultural visits, individual culture projects).

The program will cover the following expenses: travel to and from Moscow, lodging, tuition, culture tour fees, fees for visa invitations, foreign registration fee, fees for certification, and partial per diem for meal and transportation expenses.

The participants will cover the following expenses: visa fees, program fee of $220 (non-refundable) and due to uncertainties involving travel in Russia, participants will be asked to pay a $500 Refundable Emergency Fee to cover unexpected costs such emergency departures, flight changes, property damage to the dorm room, etc.

Eligibility to apply:
- A citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States.
- Currently employed full-time in a U.S. school system or institution of higher education as a teacher of faculty member in Russian OR currently studying full-time at a U.S. institution of higher education to become a Russian teacher.

For full details go to http://mblog.lib.umich.edu/CREES/archives/study_abroad and scroll down.