HPU-CIFLE English Teacher Education Program Welcomed Teachers from Korea

Submitted by Barbara Hannum, HPU Director of Intercultural Education Programs

Twenty Korean elementary school teachers completed the HPU-CIFLE English Teacher Education Program, an intensive four-week professional development and study program held from Nov. 28-Dec. 23, 2016. For one very full but fulfilling month, these teachers devoted six to seven hours daily to increasing theoretical knowledge in and practical application of Principles in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) while building fluency in their own English language skills for Teaching English in English (TEE).

In addition to these two classes taught by HPU TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and adjunct faculty, this customized content-based program also included afternoon discussion sessions, fluency-building workshops, guest speakers, cultural lessons, a panel presentation by successful TESOL professionals, and other special events. TESOL student assistants, Center for Academic Success tutors, and numerous HPU student volunteers provided support and encouragement in additional conversation sessions.

Several HPU faculty, staff, and even TESOL alumni shared presentations on topics such as Motivation and Immersion Experiences, Drama Techniques for EFL, Using Music in the Classroom, Language Review Games, Energizing English Lessons in the EFL Context, and Teaching Foreign Culture. Participants were provided numerous opportunities for practical application of task-based teaching and learning strategies and also effective ways to adapt activities and materials for their Korean students. They also observed an HPU Applied Linguistics course and attended a poster session where they had the opportunity to interact with HPU TESOL instructors and students. A highlight of their academic experience was the chance to share their ideas about favorite teaching techniques in a culminating poster session of their own, along with individual reflective discussions about their professional development outcomes as well as personal self-assessment of goals.

In addition to their classes and special educational events, they enjoyed experiential learning through a guided walking tour of historical downtown Honolulu and Aloha Tower, a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, a guided visit to Doris Duke’s Shangri-La estate, and visits to Pearl Harbor and Bishop Museum. They also enjoyed a hula lesson by Kumu Tracie Lopes as well as an ukulele lesson. Another memorable site visit took them to St. Andrew’s Priory where they spent a morning observing and interacting with elementary teachers and students. Three successful elementary teachers from Washington Middle School also shared their perspectives on teaching, including insightful comments by 2016 Hawaii State “Teacher of the Year” Sung Park.

This is the fifth HPU program for in-service teachers from Chungnam Institute of Foreign Language Education (CIFLE). The program is offered through the Department of English and Applied Linguistics in the College of Liberal Arts under the direction of Barbara Hannum, Director of Intercultural Education Programs, and TESOL Academic Coordinator Jean Kirschenmann.

Please contact Hannum at bhannum@hpu.edu for more details about this or other short-term group programs at HPU.

  

HPU-CIFLE English Teacher Education Program participants and center front row, L-R, wearing lei, Washington Middle School teachers Shirley Foster, Hawaii State “Teacher of the Year” Sung Park and Summer Cacanindin; CIFLE Director Dong-myung Kim, HPU Director of Intercultural Education Programs Barbara Hannum, and CIFLE Supervisor Mi-yeon Min; far left, second row HPU TESOL Academic Coordinator Jean Kirschenmann