Educator Effectiveness

Foreign Language Teachers and Programs

To:	Superintendents, Principals, and Charter School Leaders
From:	David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Date:	February 6, 2006

I am pleased to inform you of two initiatives designed to support your foreign language programs. First, as a result of the Massachusetts Department of Education's agreements with the Ministry of Education and Science of Spain and the Ministry of Education of Portugal, we can assist schools and districts in hiring teachers from Spain and Portugal for the 2006-2007 school year. These teachers need to have at least three years of teaching experience in their home countries, are fluent in English, and have been interviewed by Massachusetts foreign language administrators before being accepted to teach in the Commonwealth. In the past, such teachers have held positions in foreign language and two-way bilingual programs. American educators in our schools have found that having teachers from other countries on staff has enormously increased students' and teachers' understanding of language and cultures. In addition to bringing an international presence to schools, these teachers have assisted with student exchanges and a variety of other cultural programs. Second, I want to make you aware of opportunities for Spanish and Portuguese language and literature study for teachers. I encourage you to contact the Spanish Advisor, Urbano Álvarez, at 781-338-3034 or ualvarez@doe.mass.edu or the Portuguese Advisor, Lucinda Haettich, at 781-338-6232 or lhaettich@doe.mass.edu to learn more about hiring a Spanish or Portuguese teacher or participating in these study programs. Further information on the Spanish programs is available on the website of the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain in the United States and Canada, http://www.sgci.mec.es/usa/. As to the Portuguese Program you can read more in the website of the Portuguese Consulate General in Boston, http://www.consuladoportugalboston.org.

Last Updated: February 6, 2006