PLAINVIEW — A group of Texas Panhandle and South Plains educators have returned from a month-long immersion in Costa Rica, equipped with powerful new tools for teaching English Language Learners and a deeper appreciation for Latin American culture.
The June trip was the centerpiece of a $103,754 Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) grant awarded to Wayland Baptist University in 2024 by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the U.S. Department of Education.
Led by Dr. Joshua Mora, Joachim Endowed Professor of Spanish, the program provided 12 pre-service and in-service teachers from rural school districts an intensive training experience in both ESL strategies and Latin American cultural studies. The interdisciplinary project was a collaborative effort between Wayland’s Don A. Williams School of Education and the School of Humanities and Leadership.
“Being in Costa Rica gave participants hands-on cultural experiences—everything from making pottery and cooking tortillas to engaging with indigenous communities and literature,” said Dr. Mora. “These are not just memories—they’re tools these educators will take into their classrooms to better serve diverse student populations.”
Hosted in Playa Guiones at the Jungle Beach House, the cohort received daily instruction in English as a Second Language methodology from Dr. Mora and cultural training from Costa Rican educator Professor Eduardo Cárdenas. Participants also spent time in local schools, gaining practical experience working with young students. The educators also explored key Latin American and Mexican American literature and cultures, including that of Mexican Americans and Mexicans residing in the U.S.
“The Fulbright experience in Costa Rica exemplifies the kind of transformational learning that defines a Wayland education,” said Dr. Donna Hedgepath, university president. “Our mission is to prepare students—and educators—to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. This program does exactly that.”
In addition to classroom instruction and school visits, participants immersed themselves in Costa Rican life through daily meals prepared by local hosts, fresh native fruits, and cultural excursions throughout the region. Each participant receives a certificate acknowledging completion of the Fulbright-Hays study tour.
The program supports Wayland’s continued commitment to global engagement and educational excellence while empowering rural teachers to more effectively serve English Language Learners in their communities.
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