Academic and Cultural Exchange Program “Educación sin fronteras” Junta de Castilla y León y Sweetwater Union High Scho

1. Academic and Cultural Exchange Program “Educación sin fronteras” Junta de Castilla y León y Sweetwater Union High School District

2. Objective and Collaborating Institutions The goal is to establish a program that begins with primary students up to the university level. We wish to create a consciousness in the student body that makes them aware of the advantages of becoming biliterate, bilingual, and bicultural, and to further emphasize the importance of higher education as a tool for success. Having this mindset at an early age will give students the opportunity to establish a clear vision toward academic and life-long objectives. Collaborating institutions: • Middle School: Rancho del Rey • High School: Otay Ranch and Olympian High School • IES: “Federico García Bernalt” and “Tierra de Ciudad Rodrigo” • University: UCSD: Dr. Christine Hunefeldt • University: USAL: Dr. Manuel Alcántara, Vice Chancellor of International Relations

3. Reasons to Support the Exchange Program a. The understanding of a language that is distinct from the individual’s primary language contributes to the overall development of adolescence. Therefore, the study and practice of English and Spanish is indispensable in this day and age as society becomes increasingly aware of globalization. b. The importance of bilingualism (English/Spanish) is essential based on the following facts: English being the official language for international relations and Spanish being a language that is largely spoken by more than 400 million people.

4. c. The ability to acquire a new language develops an essential characteristic that creates Tolerance towards other cultures and further develops a student’s social and cultural experiences when collaborating with other individuals that do not share the same cultural background. d. Each group of students will have the opportunity to practice the language being studied and apply the skills to become fluent in the language through actual cultural experiences abroad.

5. Content Objectives, Curriculum Areas of Focus and Activities Conceptual Objectives: a. Carry out oral and written discussions: scientific, historical, political, cultural, technical, etc. b. Awareness of the major periods in Literature such as plays and authors that have represented a major artistic and cultural transcendence. d. Capable of transferring language skills into both languages of the subject being instructed.

6. Procedural Objectives: Express through oral or written from the diverse methods of communication. b. Analyze linguistic situations by observing the diversity in language. c. Utilize language, either orally or in written form. d. Interpret literary plays, identifying the components that form it artistic content, and understanding the figurative language of the time period. e. Critically analyze the different uses of language in social settings.

7. Behavior Objectives: • Develop individual style of expression and a • positive and conscious attitude toward the richness of bilingualism and biculturalism. • b. Value the use of language, oral or written. • c. Enjoy literary anthologies as a way to acquire • new learning and experiences to encourage the love for reading. • e. Interpret literary works as a form of artistic expression and be able to differentiate between attitudes that perpetuate discriminatory beliefs.

8. "Educación sin fronteras"Academic & Cultural Exchange Program Outline First phase: Students will be engaged in a technology project entitled “Global Pals” that will involve students to communicate regularly. Second phase: USA students will go on an academic trip to Spain. Third phase: Spanish students come to California (Chula Vista) for a period of three weeks. They will be leaving with the family of their American exchange student, will be attending a school at the SHUSD, and go on cultural excursions. They will also visit UCSD to learn about the American university system.

9. Fourth phase: Spanish students come to California (Chula Vista) for a period of three weeks. They will be leaving with the family of their American exchange student, will be attending a school at the SHUSD, and go on cultural excursions. They will also visit UCSD to learn about the American university system. Last phase: Students will be present a “Memoría” of what they learn during this exchange program, they will share experiences and perspectives to a panel of educators, parents, and school administrators in their perspective institutes or districts.

10. Benefits to the District • It will promote the Sweetwater Union High School District’s vision, beliefs, mission, objectives, and strategies. • It will support the District and Site Strategic and Action Plans. • It will reinforce our commitment to the students we serve and whose future we have been entrusted to shape with an “invincible sense of promise.”

11. Benefits to Our Students • Allow students to have a clearer vision of the opportunities that are given when one acquires another language besides its own. • Encourage students to develop the skills necessary to succeed in higher education and the world of work and to be integral citizens of not only their own society, but also the global society. • Provide students the opportunity to develop cultural appreciation and tolerance through their first-hand experiences of studying abroad.

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13. Collaboration Team Manuel Alcántara and Antonio Tapia, University of Salamanca, Spain Joan Miguel Salas Sivera, IES “Federico García Bernalt”, Coordinator in Spain and Alicia Avilos. English teacher Teresa Hernández, Maria Angeles y Patricia Gonzales English and Spanish teachers from IES “Tierra de Ciudad Rodrigo”, Spain Christine Hunefeldt, University of California, San Diego Lilia Meza, Rancho del Rey Middle School, Director and Coordinador in Chula Vista, California