The 2018 cohort of teachers included 18 teachers from China, 8 teachers from Egypt, and 2 teachers from Morocco who collectively taught over 4,350 students in their classes, completed 4,917 hours of professional development, and participated in 2,180 hours of outreach in their host schools and communities. Through outreach, these teachers reached over 22,000 students, teachers, parents, and community members in places such as feeder schools, senior centers, libraries, and local universities, building bridges of mutual understanding across the U.S.

a photo exhibit hosted at the U.S. Embassy on September 19 and the “To Know a Word: Vocabulary Development in the EFL Classroom” workshop organized by the Beijing Regional English Language Office (RELO) on September 20. Three TCLP alumnae Gao Jinghua (2011-12), Sun Ling (2012-13), and Chen Linlin (2012-13) participated in the workshop where the Caroline Casagrande, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, delivered opening remarks and Heidi Healy, fellow at Central China Normal University led the workshop.

TCLP alumni do amazing things after retuning home! Please share your stories of success and accomplishments with TCLP staff and your cohort leader so we can highlight you next newsletter.

After months of preparation in their home countries, they arrived in Washington, DC on July 30 to begin their 10-day orientation workshop. This year the cohort consists of 19 Chinese teachers and 9 Arabic teachers, including 7 from Egypt and 2 from Morocco. The teachers are hosted at schools from 15 states plus the District of Columbia. Roughly half of the schools this year have hosted previous TCLP teachers while the other half are new to the program.

During their visit, they spent a day at Theodore Roosevelt High School, where current TCLP participant, Hend Elhendy teaches Arabic.

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is valuable for students to not only learn critical languages skills but also benefit from cross-cultural communication with peers from around the world. Students in classrooms across the US have connected with their counterparts from China, Egypt, and Morocco through projects organized by current TCLP teachers and alumni. By practicing their critical language skills across borders and building mutual understanding between schools, students and teachers are supporting peaceful and friendly relations between the U.S. and the world.