Ann Arbor Times

On June 25, nine Eastern Michigan University (EMU) students traveled to Slovakia to teach local youth English and the importance of active citizenship. In association with the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program, the week-long trip allowed participants to work with international students from Slovakia and Spain to develop their skills as future educators.

“In this project, which would not have been possible without the Upshur grant, we explored the idea that a teacher of any area is also a teacher in a more holistic sense,” said Zuzana Tomaš, the EMU professor who led the group. “Young people in Slovakia have been shown to be particularly disengaged, so our roles were not just to help language learners improve English but help them have agency around their citizenship.”

Students from EMU, Matej Bel University, and a local community organizing group were introduced to the complex challenges that Slovak youth face. After a series of intercultural icebreakers, students were put into groups to develop their English lessons, which also aimed to raise active citizenship awareness. At the end of the program, students revealed their final projects in a learning celebration.

Kailtyn Eckermann, a rising EMU junior minoring in TESOL, expressed gratitude for the experience.

“Not only did I learn valuable intercultural communication skills, but I also learned that a go-with-the-flow attitude is key for a job in education,” said Eckermann. “For me, the program solidified that I am in the right field of study.”

Professor Tomaš noted that although the experience may have been challenging, participating students will be able to better connect with a diverse array of students in their careers.

“Experiencing these challenges and triumphs firsthand will help these future teachers of immigrant, refugee-status, and international learners be more empathetic and effective educators.”

For more information about EMU’s study abroad program, visit the website.

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is currently serving more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate specialist doctoral and certificate degrees across various disciplines. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence diversity and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University visit its website or stay updated on university news through EMU Today.