KU Hosts Brazilian Teachers for 6-Week Program
LAWRENCE — For six years, Lucas Vieira has taught English to middle schoolers in Rio de Janeiro, but it was his ability to visit a Lawrence restaurant solo and carry on a conversation with the staff that provided a major confidence boost.
“I feel validated,” he said. “That I don’t struggle that much means all these years being a teacher, investing in my knowledge, learning English, coming here to improve it, it validates your practice.”
Vieira is one of 43 Brazilian teachers who are at KU this semester as part of a six-week program to improve their English language and teaching skills and learn about U.S. culture.
The group of K-12 English teachers from the state of Rio de Janeiro arrived in Lawrence in mid-January. International Short Programs is managing the PDPI program, which translates to Professional Development Program for English Language Teachers in the U.S. The program is funded by the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education and administered by the Institute of International Education and the Brazilian Fulbright Commission.
KU is one of seven universities across the country hosting teachers from Brazil as part of the program. In 2019 KU last hosted the program, which was paused for several years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Brazilian teachers are attending classes taught by the Applied English Center and focused on communicating in English, U.S. culture and education technology. The group is also visiting area public schools to observe local English as a Second Language programs.
Another important component of the program is the opportunity to network with English as Foreign Language instructors and learn about U.S. culture. Activities include dinner in American homes, local sporting events and cultural field trips to Kansas City and Topeka.
“PDPI is a tremendous program, and being selected to host it testifies to the strength of our Applied English Center faculty and of our International Short Programs team,” said Joe Potts, associate vice provost of international innovation, development and strategic partnerships. “They’ve done a wonderful job designing curriculum and cultural experiences for the Brazilian teachers, and wonderful learning and sharing is happening in both directions.”
For Vieira, the program is his first time outside of Brazil, and before arriving he didn’t know much about Kansas, aside from the “Wizard of Oz” and the birthplace of Superman. During his time at KU, he has had to adapt to Kansas’ colder weather and picked up on the distinctly Midwest habitat of apologizing for small inconveniences. He has also experienced firsthand the U.S. higher education system.
While Vieira has had to adjust to the cold, he’s been impressed with the warm embrace he’s felt from the community and support from the International Short Programs team.
“Lawrence has an inclusive culture. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all being from another country,” Vieira said.
Vieira is excited to return to his classroom in Brazil, where he can test out the different teaching strategies he has learned. As part of the program, he is expected to share the knowledge he has gained at KU with his Brazilian colleagues.
“The program here focused on how to apply that knowledge and bring it back to your reality in Brazil,” Vieira said. “It gives you a lot of tools that you can mix together or personalize.”