Teach Abroad with SPI

Educators Guide

LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS THAT INSPIRE

Since 1996, world language teachers and college counselors alike have inspired their students with SPI’s authentic language immersion, leadership, and volunteer service experiences abroad. Our program model was created by educators for educators with 100% linguistic and cultural immersion at the forefront. Transform your students’ lives outside the classroom this summer with IMMERSION!

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Making the world your classroom since 1996!

Master teacher and SPI Co-Founder, Rose Potter, on why language immersion study abroad for college credit outside the classroom is essential for building young global leaders.

We hire qualified and passionate bilingual educators to work as directors for our language immersion programs. All director serve as mentors, caregivers, motivators, and model language immersion students while working together with the local partner school and the SPI home office.

Recommend SPI Language Immersion Programs!

SPI programs are primarily comprised of academically minded students who enroll independently with us from across the world. As a leader in high school immersion, feel confident recommending SPI’s homestay immersion travel to your students. They will be led by our master on-site directors, and return with greater fluency and inter-cultural experiences to share. Make a world of difference in your student’s lives!

Dynamic Multilingual Teams Abroad

> Each SPI program consists of 1 Lead Director, 1-2 other directors, and typically 1-2 Teacher Travelers.

> Lead Directors manage the budget and serve as the primary liaison to the local partner school. Other directors help to organize and supervise afternoon activities, morning check-ins, weekend excursions, and blog/social media updates.

> All staff members work carefully with SPI during the planning year to help build the entire program.

Qualifications for On-Site Directors

> Genuine love and passion for working with teenagers of diverse backgrounds, language levels, and personality types

> Professional command of English as well as fluency in Spanish, French, Italian, or Mandarin

> Previous experience working with high school student groups (preferably on study abroad international programs)

> A high level of maturity, patience, energy, reliability, dedication, and interpersonal skills

Applying for SPI’s Summer Positions

STEP 1: Learn More about the Summer On-Site Director Positions available and complete the Summer Staff Application.

STEP 2: SPI’s senior leadership team will review your application and will email you to schedule a phone or Skype interview.

STEP 3: We ask that all potential staff be involved in our student recruitment process. This process starts in August and lasts through April. Applicants who can recruit students are more likely to be selected for the position.

We speak your language!

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Philippe Lacoste

French 1-3 Instructor

“I believe in study abroad and SPI summer programs. SPI is a fantastic organization and their attention to detail makes traveling with your students easy. With such good organization, you get to spend more time enjoying the places you visit, while teaching your students and spending less time worrying about travel logistics.“

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Manuela Baranda

Spanish AP/IB Instructor

“I HIGHLY recommend SPI. You, as a teacher, will grow so much from this experience. SPI created a well-organized and thought-out itinerary that just made sense to what the students needed. We actually had enough time to appreciate the culture and really be immersed, rather than running from city to city.”

Derryl Lee

Spanish 3 Pre-AP Instructor

“SPI programs provide the most enriching cultural experience I’ve ever found for high school students. Their programs are top rate. The SPI team provided support from start to finish. I watched my students grow not only in their language skills but also from teens into mature young adults. If you use a different program – switch to SPI!”

Our Screening & Selection Process

Students live with roommates in a local homestay or student residence that is experienced in hosting foreign students. SPI has worked with most participating homestays and student residences for a number of years, and they understand students are there to learn the language and experience the culture. SPI diligently screens each homestay and student residence facility with the following in mind: safety, location, cleanliness, and previous experience hosting students.

HOMESTAY EXPECTATIONS

Most homestays have hosted students for many years and take their jobs and duties as cultural ambassadors very seriously. Our foreign schools also work with each family on a year-round basis to ensure a positive experience is had by each student. It is critical to understand that most homestays come from humble means and different dynamics.

Location of Housing

All housing options are located within a 10-30 minute commute from the school. Students will walk or take the local bus, which is a safe and normal way for students their age to get around in our host cities. The majority of our housing options are located in the same areas where students will be close to each other.

Evening Curfews

Student curfews are set based on what a culturally appropriate weekday and weekend curfew would be for teenagers in the country of study. This is normally between 10 PM – 11 PM on weekdays and a little later on the weekends depending on location and group dynamic. As an important safety measure, program staff diligently monitor student curfews. Specific curfews are listed on each program page for your reference.

Typical Housing Dynamics

Students are well supported in all housing options and are provided with: meals, a living and study space, laundry service or facilities, linens and towels. It is fundamental that students have an open mind to trying new foods and living in an environment different than “home” to benefit from this transformative experience!

HOMESTAY EXPECTATIONS
Although SPI homestays come in all shapes and sizes, the majority are older couples or single/widowed women in their 50s – 60s who have extra room in their home and are eager to host students. We have found this dynamic provides the best support, the most interaction, and the most culturally rich experience. Some homestays do have children, but students should keep in mind that homestays with children are busier and often offer less interaction — much like a busy American family.

HIGH SCHOOL LANGUAGE IMMERSION STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS