KINGSTON, R.I. — Feb. 14, 2022 —The U.S. Department of State has selected Rabia Hos, associate professor of TESOL/Bilingual-Dual Language Education, in the University of Rhode Island’s School of Education, for an English Language Specialist project focusing on training teachers of English language learners and empowering women in rural communities in English language learning, in partnership with the USPEaK organization in Lebanon.
USPEaK (Universally Specific Purposes of English and Knowledge) promotes equal rights for all, and supports women and youth in education, entrepreneurship, and livelihood skills, using the power of dialogue to prevent violent extremism and different forms of conflict.
Hos’ project will run virtually for three months and will train teachers in the Teaching Women Enhanced English program to become mentors to about 1,540 women ages 15-45 in 32 regions of Lebanon. The training will include workshops, teaching mixed ability classes, and verbal and nonverbal communications.
“This project lets me work with an organization that supports disenfranchised and historically marginalized groups in other countries. It also will help to empower women to make a difference in their communities through access to quality education,” said Hos.
The English Language Specialist program is the premier opportunity for leaders in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way English is taught abroad. Through projects developed by U.S. embassies in more than 80 countries, English Language Specialists work directly with local teacher trainers, educational leaders, and ministry of education officials to exchange knowledge, build capacity, and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities in the United States and overseas.
“Dr. Hos is a leading scholar in the field of TESOL, and her commitment to language education as a pathway to equity and social justice serves as a driving force in her teaching and scholarship. As part of this opportunity, she will contribute to the empowerment of women in Lebanon,” said Danielle Dennis, interim dean of the Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies.
Since 1991, the English Language Specialist Program has supported in-country, virtual, and mixed projects in which hundreds of TESOL scholars and educators promote English language learning, enhance English teaching capacity, and foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries through cultural exchange.
During their projects, English Language Specialists may conduct intensive teacher training, advise ministries of education, or participate in high-level educational consultations, and offer plenary presentations at regional, national, or international TESOL conferences. The projects selected represent the best of the U.S. TESOL community. In return, the program provides professional development opportunities to help participants experience different cultures and build skills that can greatly enhance their TESOL careers at home.
The English Language Specialist Program is administered by the Center for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University.
