Special Programs

Sample of Past Programs

United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

SIELE: Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South Africa

Program Overview

In 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2007, the English Language Programs of the University of Pennsylvania received an award from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State to host a 6-week Institute for 28 educators from South Africa. The overarching goals of the Institute are to provide the participants with intensive training in the fundamentals of content-based ESL materials development and delivery, continuous assessment, classroom management, and curriculum design for three content areas of critical importance to South Africa's social and economic well-being: Aids Education, Entrepreneurship Education, and Civic Education. These content areas figure prominently in the national plan for curriculum reform in South Africa, implementation for which was initiated in 1997.

A secondary goal of the Institute is to broaden participants' understanding of U.S. institutions and culture. This goal is realized though participatory visits and outings in the Philadelphia region and the District of Columbia. The first five weeks of the Institute are held on campus, and the final week is held in Washington, DC.

Instructional Materials

The instructional materials developed by the program participants are available below for downloading and educational use. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view them.

2004-2005

Parts 1 and 2 were developed by participants in the 2004 program and parts 3 and 4 were developed by participants in the 2005 program.

Civics Education	Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
Entrepreneurship Education	Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
HIV/AIDS Education	Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

2006

Civics Education	Part 1 Learner Guide, Part 1 Educator Guide, Part 2 Learner and Educator Guides
Entrepreneurship Education	Part 1 Learner Guide , Part 1 Educator Guide , Part 2 Learner Guide , Part 2 Educator Guide
HIV/AIDS Education	Part 1 Learner Guide , Part 1 Educator Guide , Part 2 Learner Guide , Part 2 Educator Guide

2007

Civics Education	Part 1 Learner Guide, Part 1 Educator Guide, Part 2 Learner Guide , Part 2 Educator Guide
Entrepreneurship Education	Part 1 Learner Guide , Part 1 Educator Guide , Part 2 Learner Guide , Part 2 Educator Guide
HIV/AIDS Education	Part 1 Learner Guide , Part 1 Educator Guide , Part 2 Learner Guide , Part 2 Educator Guide

Participants

Selected by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria through a rigorous competition, the 28 participants are derived from private and public sectors with affiliations at the provincial and national levels and with positions that include teacher-trainers, subject advisors, curriculum developers, and learning facilitators or coordinators. They thus represent a rich cross-section of educators in South Africa.