September 15, 2003 to May 31, 2004

Practice Teaching Program in Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico, available exclusively to all International TESOL Graduate Teaching and Honors program participants. The Practice Teaching program is a professional development program for newly certified INTERNATIONAL TESOL ESL teachers. Practice teaching participants will be involved in over 20 hours per week of supervised ESL teaching preparation, observation, and teaching in diversified ESL teaching environments. Participants will be required to undertake group and individual learning assignments throughout the week and will be required to submit formal assignments to consolidate their learning. Practice teaching participants will enjoy accommodations and meals in North American standard accommodations, but are reminded that not everything will be the same as at "home".

The daily schedule of activities has been planned with professional development as the priority activity. Participants will be able to enjoy the local environment, stroll along the beach and dip in the ocean, but only as time permits. "Free time" periods are allocated to allow the participant to relax and enjoy the Progreso environment. Participants are encouraged to stay an extra week for "more beach, more sun, and more fun" to really get the most from their trip.

During the optional second week, no professional development activities are scheduled. Instead the participant may design an individual vacation plan which could include such activities as touring archaeological sites -including amazing Mayan ruins, cultural activities -including music and dance, water sports -including windsurfing and sailing, great shopping, dining, and of course, more beach, sun and fun! Your vacation plan will be made of great options, which you choose to suit your taste and your budget. There are many options available, most of which are not expensive but offer amazing value.

Practice Teaching Professional Development Schedule (Week One)

Monday
8:30a.m. Intro to Program, Casa, and Progreso
9:00 am Contemporary Economic Realities - A North - South Perspective
10:00 am Teaching in Aprenda Ingles and in the Community - A Comparison
11:30am - 12:30 Entering a New System - Cultural Awareness
1:00 pm Main Meal
2:00p.m. Lesson Preparation.
3:15p.m. Departure to Teaching Site from Casa
Walkabout Teaching Site
Simply English Community Programs Practice Teaching
6:30p.m. Return from Practice Teaching
6:45p.m. Botanas or Sopa
**Assignment preparation in group
(**8:30 - 10:00 - actual timing to be determined by assignment group.
Work at CASA or other location

Tuesday
8:30a.m. Teaching Support mini-seminar
9:00a.m. Spanish Lesson - optional
10 - 1:00p.m. Free Time
1 - 2:00p.m. Main meal
2:30p.m. Lesson Planning.
3:15p.m. Departure to teaching Site.
Walkabout teaching site
Simply English Community Programs Practice Teaching
6:30p.m. Return from Practice Teaching
6:45p.m. Botanas or Sopa
**Assignment preparation in group
(**8:30 - 10:00? - actual timing to be determined by assignment group. Work at CASA or other location )

Wednesday
8:30a.m. Teaching Support mini-seminar
9:00a.m. Spanish Lesson - optional
10 - 1:00p.m. Free Time
1 - 2:00p.m. Main meal
2:30p.m. Lesson Planning
Practice Teachers assigned to specific classes as Observer/Participants.
3:30-10:00p.m. Aprenda Ingles classes
**Assignment preparation in group.
(** Actual timing to be determined by group. Work at CASA or other location)

Thursday
8:30a.m. Teaching Support mini-seminar.
9:00a.m. Spanish Lesson - optional
10 - 1:00p.m. Free Time
1 - 2:00p.m. Main meal.
2:30p.m. Lesson Planning
3:15p.m. Departure to teaching Site. Walkabout teaching site
Simply English Community Programs Practice Teaching
6:30p.m. Return from Practice Teaching
6:45p.m. Botanas or Sopa
7:00p.m. Assignment Presentation
Note: Individual Reflections due Thursday night.

Friday
8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Trip to Mayan Ruins and museum at Dzibiltalchun - Optional
Departure from CASA
2:30p.m. Lesson Planning
3:15p.m. Departure to teaching Site
Walkabout teaching site
Simply English Community Programs Practice Teaching
6:30p.m. Return from Practice Teaching
Main meal at 7:00p.m.

Mexican Fiesta Night
Delicious Mexican food, live music, and tropical cocktails!
7:00p.m. Main Meal

Saturday
9:30 a.m. Lesson Planning for Orphanage - optional
10:00a.m. Departure to Merida Orphanage for participants
11-1:00p.m. Practice teaching at Orphanage
Note: Those who are departing to Cancun or elsewhere, by bus, may wish to depart directly following teaching at the orphanage. Please discuss this well in advance with Program Staff.
Note Main meal is at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday
8:00a.m. Early Bird light breakfast
10:30a.m. Please vacate rooms by this time.
11:30a.m. Brunch. Everyone is invited to stay for Brunch. This is a great time to say goodbye to new friends and colleagues.
12:30-1:00p.m. Departure
7:00p.m. Welcome Barbecue

Optional Vacation Plan (Week two or three)

With the free support of Casa staff, plan your week. Free Spanish lessons will be continued if you wish.

GETTING THERE
Location:
Progreso is a small town located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico , directly across from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The closest main city is Merida, Yucatan. From Merida: Arriving at the Merida airport You may take a taxi directly to Progreso (300 pesos) or take the taxi to the Progreso bus terminal in Merida (100 pesos) and then take the bus to Progreso (15 pesos) Arriving at the Merida bus terminal Upon arrival in the Merida bus terminal you must either proceed to the bus terminal for Progreso (15 pesos) or take a taxi direct to Progreso (300pesos). Merida to Progreso is 35 kilometers or about 45 minutes. Arriving in Cancun ( 6 hours to Progreso) While flying to Cancun by charter fight is cheaper than direct flying to Merida, one must recognize that Cancun to Progreso is a car or bus trip of some 6 hours. When arriving in Cancun you will need to either fly to Merida airport or take a bus from Cancun to Merida. By bus Upon arrival at the Cancun airport take a taxi to the bus terminal in downtown Cancun. Buy a ticket on the first class bus (it is the best value) to Merida. Arriving in Progreso Walk to center of town (2 minutes from bus terminal and take a taxi to CASA (15 pesos)

ADDRESS OF THE CASA (house)
Calle 60 number 58 entre 21 y 25 . Suggest you write this on a card and show the taxi driver as most do not speak English. CASA SONRISA is our practice teaching guest center located one block from the beautiful beach. It is well equipped with clean , North American furnished rooms, a living room, equipped kitchen and 2 bathrooms. All accommodations are shared , 2 or 3 to a room. It is located less than one block from the ocean beach. All meals are prepared with great care and served at Casa Sonrisa You can be sure that all ingredients are of the best quality and prepared to North American Standards. Go ahead, enjoy; your tummy will be fine! Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are included with you meals. Throughout the week, enjoy North American and European style cuisine, but on Friday and Saturday savor the delicious tastes of Mexican cuisine, including regional specialties. Don't miss Mexican Fiesta Night: delicious food, fun, and music are all included. Please note that the American meal plan is compulsory for all participants to ensure their health. It includes two meals per day, breakfast and the Main Meal. There are many nearby restaurants where you can explore local delicacies at very reasonable prices. Many also serve delicious soft drinks, cocktails, or ice-cold beer on the beach.

CASA HOURS
Casa Sonrisa guests are in residence primarily for professional development and to enjoy the experience of Mexico. With this in mind, and to ensure security, the doors of the CASA will be closed at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed., and Thurs. nights. In order to accommodate those who may wish to experience nightlife of Progreso and Merida, the CASA doors will be closed at 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights ONLY. Doors will be opened at 6:00 a.m. each morning. If you choose to stay in other accommodation overnight, for example a local hotel while touring, please note that we regret that we are unable to adjust your vacation package. Casa Sonrisa is private guesthouse; there are no daily rates. All accommodations are reserved on a package basis.

MEDICAL INSURANCE
Although routine medical visits are inexpensive and of excellent quality, should you suffer serious health problems abroad, for example an automobile accident, you must have medical insurance. This insurance can be purchased very inexpensively to cover the length of your visit. Most plans will also provide for medical evacuation to your home country if required. Call your local travel agent or International TESOL to obtain good health insurance at reasonable rates.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All guests must provide proof of insurance upon registration via fax to International TESOL at 1-613-241-9486 , PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THEIR HOME COUNTRY. No reservations will be accepted without proof of insurance. Contact FRONT DESK/INFORMATION If you have any enquiries regarding the Casa, the community, recreation, shopping, etc. Please do NOT ask for help from individual Casa staff, instead please make enquires through the Program staff.

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INFORMATION

MEDICAL SERVICES
Progreso has an excellent Medical Center with well-trained doctors of all specializations. Unfortunately, most doctors DO NOT speak English. Should you feel you need medical attention please contact program staff and we will make arrangements for someone to accompany you. Medical services are inexpensive in Progreso. You will be required to pay at time of delivery of the services. A typical visit would cost of about 200 pesos. Most insurance plans reimburse expenses upon your return to your home country. Be sure to keep receipts in order to be able to submit your claims after returning home.

TRANSPORT
Casa Sonrisa is located approximately 1 block from the Malecon (seaside), and about 11 blocks from the Aprenda Ingles School which is located in the center of town (Centro).

All Casa guests and other program participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from locations within Progreso (eg. Aprenda Ingles School) Most guests prefer to take this 10-20 minute walk. You can also take the town buses, for approximately 3 pesos each way. Hail a bus at any corner at Calle 29 to go into Centro (school, shopping, banks, etc.). For the return trip, just hail a bus on any corner on Calle 27. Remember that Casa Sonrisa is on Calle 60, between 21 & 25, so get off at 60. Buses pass at about 15 minute intervals. Remember that buses stop running at approximately 10 p.m. For others who wish to go regularly by taxi, arrangements can be made for you on a weekly basis. Total cost one way is 15 pesos. Sharing a taxi is both efficient and inexpensive.

Many people choose to walk or to take a bus into Centro, then take a taxi back, either occasionally or on a regular basis. You don't need to make advance arrangements to do this. The main taxi stand is located across from the school, beside the town park at Centro (the Zocalo). You can also catch a van to Merida (Colectivo) for only 12 pesos. Catch it opposite the taxi stand. You'll notice line-ups there. Colectivos leave approximately every 10 minutes. Be careful; colectivos stop running at about 10 p.m.!! Be prepared to take a taxi back from Merida - approximately 250.00 pesos. Be sure to ask about the taxi fare from longer distances, such as Merida, before you get into the taxi. From the center of Merida, you can also book inexpensive, comfortable, and convenient bus transportation to many different locations such as Chichen Itza, Izamel, Valladolid, beautiful colonial Campeche and Cancun. You can also enquire through travel agencies in Merida. In Progreso, there is a travel agency located near the Aprenda Ingles School.

For transportation to the Merida airport, you can go by taxi for about 300.00 pesos, or you can take a colectivo to Merida for 12 pesos, then a taxi to the airport for under 100.00 pesos.

SAFETY
Progreso is a very safe town. There are seldom incidences of violence, but petty theft does occur. Please watch you wallets, purses, and valuables when outside the CASA. Do not make yourself a target for theft. Dress conservatively; leave expensive jewellery and watches at home.

SHOPPING
There are many different types of shops, in various locations in both Progreso and Merida. Most visitors enjoy shopping in the Zocalo. In Merida, you'll find many interesting shops, full of handicrafts embroidered clothing, jewellery, and of course - hammocks. A similar, but less extensive selection is available in Progreso. Watch for special markets and displays, including folk dancing, in Progreso on Cruise Ship Days.

RESTAURANTS
There are many fine restaurants available, both in Merida and in Progreso. Check out the telephone book, or enquire at the desk to find your heart's desire in Merida; everything from humble tacos to haute cuisine. In Progreso, stroll along the Malecon for a fine selection of restaurants. They specialize in seafood, but have a full menu. For a change of pace in Progreso, try Los Campadres Tacos, located near Aprenda Ingles, or stop for a pizza.

READING MATERIAL
There is a small lending library at the Aprenda Ingles School. You are welcome to borrow a book at any time. Please return it before leaving. Should you wish to donate any English book to the school library, it would be much appreciated.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Progreso offers religious service for most denominations. Services are usually conducted in Spanish, but some clergy speak excellent English.

MONEY
The currency of Mexico is the peso at roughly 10 to a US dollar or 6 to a Canadian dollar. There are 4 banks in Progreso and all of them will exchange American dollars at the going rate. Change money before 3 pm. to avoid any problem. Canadian dollars can ONLY be exchanged at BANAMEX on calle 80 in the center of Progreso. A maximum of $500 per day is allowed. Please bring identification, preferably your passport, on all trips to the bank. ATMs are available just inside all banks and accept Canadian and American bank debit cards. Funds are disbursed in pesos. Some, but very few, tourist stores will accept US dollars. Canadian dollars are NOT accepted anywhere.

WHAT TO WEAR
You will require casual clothing for teaching. Ladies please bring slacks or a skirt and men bring slacks and a collared short sleeve shirt. While not teaching, you may wear more casual clothing but please note that Progreso is a conservative town and bikinis and other less modest clothing is unacceptable.

Back to the TESOL Semester Graduate teaching Program.
©2003 International TESOL