Turkish Students Learn Instruction American-Style

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Cheryl Murphy, left, associate professor of education technology, describes instructional techniques using PowerPoint.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Twenty-two teacher-education students from Turkey are learning in University of Arkansas classrooms and teaching in Fayetteville public schools during a six-week trip to the United States.

"The students were selected by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey," said Alannah Massey, sponsored programs coordinator for Spring International Language Center. "They applied from all over the country. They are seniors in college or recent graduates. They have very little practicum experience in their country."

To cover the cost of the students' trip, Spring International and the university's Graduate School and program in International Education secured a grant through the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.

"This is the second year for us to receive this grant through the International Research and Exchanges Board," Massey continued. "The funder asked us to expand it this year and involve more pedagogical and instructional resources from across the university."

The Department of State describes the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program as a professional development opportunity that enhances participants' understanding of best practices in teaching methodologies, lesson planning and the use of technology in the classroom. The program contributes to improving teaching in Turkey by preparing participants to serve as teacher leaders in their classrooms and schools who can apply and share their experience and skills with their peers and students upon returning home.

Each morning, Spring International instructors have been teaching the students in courses focusing on teaching methods and strategies in English as a foreign language and general education courses such as developing writing skills and classroom management. The students spent a couple afternoons a week learning techniques to incorporate technology into their classrooms under the guidance of Cheryl Murphy, associate professor of educational technology, and Dennis Beck, clinical assistant professor of educational technology, both in the College of Education and Health Professions.

Freddie Bowles, assistant professor of foreign language education, and Judy Hobson, former co-director of the Education Renewal Zone in the College of Education and Health Professions, have also been teaching the students from Turkey about such topics as differentiated instruction and teacher professionalism.

During the fifth week of their stay on the Fayetteville campus, the Turkish students began full-day internships at local secondary schools.

Spring International also arranged several socio-cultural and recreational outings to introduce the visitors to Fayetteville and the surrounding area.