INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Faculty Travel Report
Alberto M. Ochoa Proposal Title: "Seminars on Biliteracy, Culture and the European Union Economy" Amount of Request: $3,000 Anticipated number of student participants: 15-20 per
summer
Seminars on Biliteracy, Culture and the European
Union Economy The purpose of the trip was to expand the work developed during the past four years. A Summer Institute in Spanish Literacy and Culture for BCLAD Prospective Teachers was established in the summer of 2001 with the Universidad Católica in Avila Spain. In 2002 the program was expanded with the University of Sao Pablo CEU. In 2003 we formalize an agreement between Sao Pablo CEU and SDSU and expanded the Summer Institute to undergraduate students. In 2004, talks began to formalize institutional relations with the Catholic University of Avila and the PLC Department. In 2005, we formalized an agreement with Universidad Católica in Avila and initiated faculty exchange proposals. At the graduate level we explored seminars with both the Sao Pablo CEU and Universidad Católica univerisites for graduate and doctoral students on language policy and cross-cultures issues in the different languages—Spanish, Galician, and Catalan. The graduate seminars seek to examine the European Union policies addressing Language, Culture and Economy. II. In preparation for the trip abroad Contacted Professor Javier Morillas Gómez from the Universidad de San Pablo CEU in Madrid, Spain. Contacted Professor Maximiliano Fernandez of the Universidad Católica de Avila (UCA). First, working with San Pablo University CEU faculty we established meetings to work and reflect on what has worked in the development of language acquisition for our students and identify areas to improve academic fluency. Secondly, we are researching ways to enhance and contextualized courses that match the language and cross-cultural academic needs of our BCLAD credential students in their development of biliteracy competence. Thirdly, a proposal was developed to negotiate the design of a graduate seminar for students and faculty (adjunct and tenure-track) involved with the College of Education in the area of Language, Culture and Economic Integration with emphasis on how the European community develops multilingualism. III. Upon arrival/specific activity A series of meetings were held with Universidad de San Pablo-CEU on March 30 to April 1, 2005 with Professors Morillas from the Universidad San Pablo-CEU. These meetings covered curriculum, logistics, cost and legal responsibilities with regards to student participation in our proposed course of study. At the Universidad Católica de Avila, meetings were held with Professor Maximiliano Fernandez of the Universidad Católica de Avila (UCA) on April3-5, 2005. This university is a private undergraduate institution that trains students for the disciplines of engineering and social sciences. The university setting provides a cultural environment that promotes cross-cultural and international understanding. The university is situated away from large urban centers while providing a setting for study and personal development. Both Professors Ochoa and Sanz, also presented special lectures to students and faculty at both institutions on Cultural Democracy. Specific chronological activities included: Madrid 3/31/05, Universidad San Pablo CEU (main campus) Met with Professor Javier Morillas, Institutional Relations Coordinator/Director of Summer Courses. Dr. Alberto Ochoa re-affirmed the commitment of the Policy Studies Department to provide opportunities at the graduate level (MA and Doctoral) to candidates to study in Madrid. Professor Morillas indicated the possibility of a student exchange beginning Spring 06. He believes that there is a potential group of students interested in pursuing research within the area of bilingualism, multiculturism issues, and access to higher education, specially as it applies to Latino immigrants in California and other areas of the Southwest. He also asked for the possibility of extending the exchange to involve the area of economics and language policies in general. Madrid 4/1/05, Universidad San Pablo CEU -Monte Pio Campus- On this day, we were invited to be guest presenters at a class dealing with the topic of the economic impact of educating language minorities in the European Union. As we interacted with the students and received feedback, we discovered the tremendous similarities between Spain and California as it relates to issues of higher education. We also noticed that within a class of 34 students, only two were language minority students from Latin America. We also began to establish the base for faculty exchange by discussing issues of language research and the educational policies regarding immigrant communities. Faculty exchange was discussed and initial exchanges designed. Sevilla 4/1/05, CEU Centro de Preparación en Tecnica Superior The purpose of Professor Sanz’s visit to this center was to investigate the dual system of preparing students who opt for a vocational career and/or postpone applying to a university. The main goal of this center is to contribute to the preparation of professionals in different fields with the highest degree of technical and human qualifications. All formative cycles offer the students mandatory practices in private and public institutions. Upon graduation, the university has a follow up system where negotiates employment contract for these graduates in the private as well as public sector. Once the students are employed, they maintain continuous contact by organizing conferences and colloquiums dealing with different themes. The university also participates in a transnational pilot project funded by the European Union to provide scholarship for their graduates to participate in exchange programs and work in other countries under the Leonardo Da Vinci program. Many of these students will later return to the university to attain their higher degrees. The study of three languages and accompanying culture is mandatory. This experience provide us with an insight as to how to assist those students who many times lack the resources either to enter the university or drop the program for lack of economic capacity. La Coruña 4/02/05, Universidad de La Coruña The purpose of visiting this University was to look into the possibility of selecting an alternative campus for summer courses in Spain. The climate around this area of Galicia is more benign than that of Madrid during the months of June and July. Another aspect of interest is the fact that prices for institutions having formal agreements with this campus offers 25% to 30% discount to students and faculty attending their sessions. The University of La Coruña, at this time, has suspended subsidies and/or assistance to U.S. entities due to problems related to budget, specially as it applies to California. It was observed that this university is also part of the connections with the Institutor Cervantes and the Erasmus system. Bilbao 4/1-2/05, The Bilbao, Deusto Professor Ochoa visited the Deusto campus and found that it is heavily involved with International Programs related to that program. The university offers comprehensive opportunities to take courses for both the language and non-language student that trilingually (Spanish/English/Basque). This university program offers a dynamic opportunity to practice and participate in language learning and partake in arts classes with students from across Europe and the world. AVILA 4/4/0, Universidad Católica de Avila The purpose of our visit to Avila was to formalize and secure the signature for the international agreements between the Department of Policy Studies at SDSU and the Universidad Católica de Avila as it pertains to faculty and student exchanges. We met with the university governing board headed by its president Dr. José Manuel Sanchez Carol. Present at this meeting were Dr. Maximiliano Fernandez, Dean of Cienciencias Sociales y Juridicas, and Dr. Ana Isabel Gomez, Director of Institutional Relations. Representing SDSU were Professor Dr. Alberto Ochoa, PLC Chair, and Professor Ernesto Sanz, BCLAD Advisor/Coordinator. Present also was a group of news media representatives from local television, radio and newspapers. After introductions by the UCAV President, Dr. Ochoa explained the importance and significance of this agreement for the goals of the faculty in the field of investigation and research, and in the preparation of bilingual teachers. The UCAVILA President signed the documents and delivered to Dr. Ochoa, who in turn will take them back to SDSU for approval and signature of Dr. Weber. AVILA 4/5/06, Universidad Católica de Avila On this day, we presented a half day interactive seminar dealing with issues of diversity, culture and democracy. The event took place at Palacio de Los Serrano from 4:00 to 8:00 PM In attendance was a group of educators, community members. The media also covered this event.
For undergraduate prospective BCLAD credential students, a summer institute was renegotiated for July 2005. The students will be housed in Avila, Spain at the Residencia Seminar Diocesana lodging facilities. All meals and lodging will be provided at these facilities. Classes have been recruited who demonstrate a minimum professional proficiency in Spanish in the skill areas of: speaking reading and writing, as well as cross-cultural competence. The program will emphasize: 1. Develop and increase the language proficiency of prospective bilingual
In addition, with the Universidad Católica de Avila a faculty exchange program has been negotiated involving SDSU faculty (Dr. Karen Cadiero) and Dr. Maximiliano Fernandez (UCA). With the San Pablo-CEU Professor Morillas will be collaborating with SDSU Policy Studies Department faculty on immigrant educational rights and economic access into the world economy. Next year, a graduate a summer seminar is being negotiated with the Universidad San Pablo CEU. A group of ten graduate students from SDSU will attend a two week seminar with graduate colleagues from the European Union and Spain. Dr. Karen Cadiero will discuss USA multicultural education issues and Dr. Morillas from CEU will moderate issues presented from European Union experts on language, economics and its effect on the education of recent immigrants to Spain and the rest of EU countries. The seminar seeks to study: •. To examine the conditions that hinder or promote the economic development, cultural integration and the language policy of Spain and the European Union. • To examine the explicit and implicit language and socio-political policies of the European Union that can lead to multiliteracy. • To examine the existing and potential socio-political conditions of multiliteracy as a social policy for the European Union. • To examine the cross-cultural treatment and socio-political integration of immigrants into the European Union. • To examine the lessons learned from the European Union and its implications for U.S. and biliteracy. V. Additional Information • Contacts were also made with faculty in other San Pablo-CEU campuses throughout Spain, including Madrid, Sevilla, Coruña, Avila and Bilbao. • Institutional agreements between Universidad Católica de Avila Pablo-CEU and SDSU has been processed between the two institutions following SDSU policies. • Future language and cross-cultural trainings using different formats (one to four week course of studies/seminars) will be designed to provide academic experiences for students from SDSU, College of Education. VI. Budget (3/30-4/7)
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