The study described in this article took place in an international consortium type model program. The International Teacher Education Program (ITEP) is a California State University System (CSUS) credential program for elementary teacher candidates who are pursuing teacher certification as bilingual teachers (Spanish). Besides San Diego State…

A project is reported in which selected bilingual Mexican-American teachers from Texas traveled to Mexico for a four-week study to collect materials appropriate for U.S. classroom use. The effects of the project on language fluency and ethnic self-concept are discussed. (22 references) (LB)

In light of growing numbers of Mexican immigrants and other Spanish speakers in the United States, public schools must deal with shortages of certified bilingual teachers. This chapter describes efforts to address such shortages by the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs (OBEMLA) and other agencies of the U.S. Department of…

A University of Yucatan (Mexico) professor who taught a Mayan linguistics course to indigenous teachers in Mayan discusses three issues that are central to understanding how indigenous education interacts with pan-Maya identity: the importance of locally developed Maya literature, the symbols used to define Maya culture, and a conflict over Maya…

Ten preservice bilingual teachers went to Mexican elementary and junior high schools to gain a better understanding of immigrant students' needs. They gathered data on school structure, classroom interactions and management, and educational strategies. They found that Mexican children achieve despite disadvantaged conditions, immigrant students…

Mexico and Guatemala are undergoing changes in their educational systems due to a paradigm shift that replaces ethnic assimilation with pluralism. Both countries' governments have legally recognized the linguistic and cultural diversity of their countries via amendments to their constitutions. Both countries face tremendous obstacles in…

Searching for additional bilingual-crosscultural teachers, the California State University (CSU) system plans to combine teacher education and the CSU International Programs approach. Basic elements of this program are: (1) intensive study of Spanish and immersion in a Spanish-speaking milieu; (2) a living experience in the Mexican culture; (3) a…