Binghamton professor selected for prestigious practical teaching program

Beth Clark-Gareca, an associate professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership, has been selected by the U.S. Department of State for a prestigious 19-day English Language Specialist project.

"The program is very competitive, and so, first and foremost, it is an honor to have the opportunity to take part," she said. "I love to develop partnerships outside of the U.S., as it brings depth and perspective to the work that I do here. It helps me to understand our international students to a greater degree as they pursue higher learning here in New York in the field of English to Speakers of Other Languages."

English Language Specialists are top-tier experts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), with a master's or doctorate in TESOL, applied linguistics, or a related field, who lead intensive, high-level English language projects. This project will take place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, through the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the National Institute of Education (NIE). Clark-Gareca has previously been selected and worked in programs through the ELSpecialist program in Bahrain, the Fulbright Specialist program in Indonesia and the Fulbright Scholar program in Argentina.

As part of this project, which will take place from January 6-24, 2025, Clark-Gareca will give workshops on curriculum design, materials design and TESOL methodology to local K-12 head teachers and trainers of secondary and tertiary educational institutions in Ashgabat. She will also consult with the NIE English Language Team, including curriculum developers, education material designers and textbook writers, to develop these materials.

The English Language Specialist Program has fostered cultural exchange between the U.S. and other countries since 1991. By advising, participating and/or offering presentations at national or international conferences, Clark-Gareca and other educators in her field can enact meaningful and sustainable changes in how English is taught abroad by exchanging knowledge, building capacity and establishing partnerships. This opportunity will allow Clark-Gareca to enhance her TESOL career at Binghamton with additional valuable, real-world, practical experiences.

Additionally, Clark-Gareca will later present at the TESOL International Convention and Expo in Long Beach, Calif., about the value of these short-term, international professional development programs through Fulbright and the Specialist program.

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"As a faculty member and scholar in the field of K-12 TESOL, I am always eager to embark on international experiences where I can see how English is being taught around the world," Clark Gareca said. "It helps me stay current and relevant in my work here at Binghamton, as well as serving as a resource to varying ministries of education who are looking for outside specialists to help them with professional development or troubleshooting as they try to teach English to young people more effectively."