Mexican university professors participate in English Language Program at New Paltz

The State University of New Paltz recently welcomed 21 professors from universities in the Mexican states of Puebla and Hidalgo as part of a new SUNY-Puebla Intensive English Program (IEP). The program is one of the first efforts in Mexico to take place under President Obama’s “100,000 Strong in the Americas” education initiative, which aims to increase the number of cultural and educational exchanges from the United States to Latin America and the Caribbean and vice versa.

“Summer Intensive English programs at SUNY enroll students from all over the world, and we are thrilled that this new program has attracted 80 Mexican participants in its inaugural year,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “SUNY’s international partnerships help us provide a truly global education to our students in New York, and allow our expert faculty to provide needed services to colleagues abroad.”

The professors arrived in New Paltz on June 30, and joined other international students from China, Japan, Turkey, Thailand, and Albania. IEP participants spend 23 hours per week on campus taking intensive academic English courses in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Additionally, the professors participate in pedagogical workshops delivered by faculty in the School of Education and the Haggerty English Language Program (HELP).

“The immediate goal of this initiative is to hone the professor’s skills in the teaching of English in their home states,” said Provost Phillip Mauceri, “but we also hope this will deepen the educational ties between New Paltz and our educational partners in Mexico.”

To make the most of their experience in New Paltz, the professors are living in residence halls on campus and are invited to participate in a wide variety of activities and events in New Paltz, the Hudson Valley, and New York City, thereby expanding their knowledge of American history and culture through first-hand experiences.

At the end of the program, participants will receive certificates of completion.