In August A.C.E. Langauge Institute at SPU Director Tim Healy and Instructor Rob Darling flew to Korea to attend the Gangwon International Language Institute (GILI) Workshop and Homecoming Day. Their former students were gathered for a day of reconnection, presentations, and reflection on their time spent at the GILI Intensive English Teacher Training Program. The Training Program was designed in 2009 by the Korean government to improve English instruction through retraining of experienced teachers.
Four months are spent in-country and two at the A.C.E. Language Institutes at SPU and MSU. Over 50 teachers gathered for the reunion though the number was smaller than the 150 that have completed the program because of the start of the school term.
The GILI English Bus is a mobile English classroom, taking expertise to underserved areas in Gangwon Province.
Rob Darling has some of the highest-rated teaching at the Training Program, and teaches at the Mercer Island School District the rest of the year. He shared below:
“The GILI staff and complex were amazing. I made some great contacts with GILI trainees as well as some English teachers at local schools. I intend to find ways to connect my classroom (as well as others in the area) with classrooms and schools down there. These types of experiences need to result in bonds and collaborative efforts and that is what I intend to do. GILI’s slogan is “From here, you can go anywhere.” This will also be the new slogan for my own classroom.”
Rob Darling sits down with new and old friends.
We look forward to welcoming the next group of GILI trainees in December of this year and creating many more wonderful memories.
A.C.E. 