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Individuals who seek to fulfill university teacher education requirements through short term school based experiences in other cultural settings worldwide.

Teacher education faculty who want to arrange and lead a group study abroad experience for their undergraduate or graduate teacher education students.

Individuals who can be depended upon to offer professional service in the host school, and whose application is signed by a college advisor or faculty member in teacher education.

• A 2 to 4-week school experience in a cultural setting new to each participant.
• Three preset syllabi focusing on pedagogical development, comparative study of education, or language sharing.
• Individual and group options.

Flexible design through which school based experiences in other countries/cultural settings can be used to achieve a variety of educational goals in education studies, introduction to education, subject methods, and/or elective university courses.

Teacher Education Faculty

EA will arrange school based experiences so you can explore education in another society with a group of your students. Contact EA to discuss options.

EAPracticum participants

• Support the work of a teacher.
• Help students learn.
• Consider their:
  • Pedagogical development
  • Comparative understanding of education, or
  • Ability to guide language learning.

School experience in a cultural setting different from one's own:

• Broadens one's perspective on life, education, educational policy, and the teaching/learning process.
• Increases the ability of educators to effectively educate students of different cultural backgrounds and to prepare them for the global community they will live in.
• Provides opportunity to:
  • Demonstrate readiness to enter the global profession of teaching.
  • Be shortlisted for employment in over 8,000 English medium international schools worldwide, in government schools in several countries, and in multicultural schools in the student teacher’s home region.

EAPracticum school based placements can be arranged in countries on all continents, including the applicant’s home country, to provide experience in other cultural settings and/or accommodate personal circumstances.

Placements are available throughout the calendar year.

• Placements in the Northern hemisphere are during the August/September to June/July school year and in the Southern hemisphere during the February/March to December school year.
• Determination of specific dates is based on matching participant interest/availability with the host school calendar.

Determining the specific location and start/end dates of each placement is based on matching participant interest/availability/length of requested placement/and visa restrictions with days that schools are in session.

This match is further complicated by the fact that school calendars change year to year and even vary among schools within the same community. As a result, participants may need to adjust the dates and location for their placement as they work with their EA Placement Director to create an optimal opportunity through which to develop and demonstrate their abilities as professional educators.

1. The Global Academic Year calendar is a useful tool for determining when schools are in session round the world (chart created by Dave Simons, The Education Company, 2013).
2. Further detail about scheduling placements in Europe:
   • The usual school year in Europe is three terms (not semesters).
   • Autumn term - first week in September to the week before Christmas – 1 week midterm break end of October; 2 weeks holiday at Christmas.
   • Spring term - first full week in January to the week of, or before, Good Friday – 1 week midterm break end of Feb, 2 weeks holiday at Easter.
   • Summer term - first week after Easter Monday until the end or June or early July – 1 week or 3 day break end of May, 7-9 week summer break.
   • Placements of more than 10 weeks may require an additional week depending on scheduling of school holidays
   • The 90 day tourist visa allows for a 12 week placement if completed within a single term.

While the cost of this experience can be measured in money, its value must be considered in terms of personal and professional growth and in preparing oneself for entry into a career as educator in the global profession of teaching.

The program(me) cost can be offset against university tuition charges for the same course/experience based on arrangements between EA and each partner institution. Total cost is: $800 (USD) which is submitted along with the completed application.

Financial considerations

• For international placements the program(me) cost includes liability, emergency evacuation, and health insurance provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) for the duration of the placement.
• EAPracticum participant costs include:
  • EA program(me) cost (depending on arrangements with each university, the program(me) fee is made by the participant or their university).
  • Arranging and paying for passport, visa, and travel to and from the host school.
  • Meals and accommodation (arranged in cooperation with the host school).
  • Personal expenses.
  • If registering for college credit, the college/university charge for course registration.
  • Optional: a gift to the host school as a sign of personal appreciation for the opportunity provided by the school. Participants determine what is considered an appropriate gift through dialogue with their hosts prior to traveling.
• Refunds: There is no refund of the program(me) fee once a placement has been made.
• The cost for participating in EAPracticum may be adjusted on the first of August each year (the cost has not changed for several years).

Prior to Enrolling

Prospective participant:

• Determines whether to proceed following review of requirements and expectations outlined on EAPracticum www pages.
• Completes the EAPracticum form, including required materials, and submits it to their university advisor or placement office for approval and forwarding to EA.

Upon Entry

• EA faculty assume responsibility for arranging the placement through to completion for individuals and in partnership with university faculty for group travel.
• Participant’s application is sent to a prospective host school to consider whether they have the ability and/or interest in hosting EAPracticum participant(s).
• When accepted by a school, EAPracticum participant communicates directly with the school to arrange accommodation (participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodation), plan their work, and arrange for their arrival in the host community.
• Participant registers for the appropriate course at their university.
• Participant receives information and support they need to assure they will have a successful learning and living experience during their placement. This may include an EA faculty visit to the school during the placement.

Upon Completion

• The mentor teacher completes a short report for the participant and their university assesses any assignments they have set.
• Each participant is provided an EA certificate confirming completion of the practicum.
• Participate in the EAPracticum community association.