12 Program Instructors
IUHPFL Instructors are highly qualified educators who specialize in their respective languages and have diverse professional backgrounds and skills. They are native or near-native speakers of the languages they teach, many have traveled extensively, and many have lived or studied abroad themselves. They enjoy interacting with our students and are able to wear many hats during the program: teacher, mentor, coach, advocate, facilitator, and tour guide, to name a few. Their top priority during the program is each student’s well-being, safety, happiness, and success.
Each program site has a team of two, three, or four instructors, depending on the number of students. IUHPFL strives for a student-instructor ratio of approximately 10:1 at each site.
Students will become acquainted with their instructors at Orientation. Throughout the program, instructors will spend a great amount of time with the students, helping and guiding them at every step. Since most instructors have spent extended amounts of time in countries other than their own, they understand the immersion experience and can relate to the stages and challenges of adjusting to a new culture. Students should feel comfortable talking to them about any concerns they might have.
IUHPFL Instructors must meet the following criteria:
- Teach the target language as an Assistant Instructor (AI) or non-tenured Lecturer at IU OR as a licensed high school teacher
- Pass the Indiana University PIC (Programs Involving Children) Background Check
- Be a native or near-native speaker of the target language
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of pedagogy and content area
- Apply outstanding classroom management and student engagement techniques
- Have familiarity with the host culture
- Complete 3 all-day IUHPFL Instructor Training sessions
- Work within their instructor teams to develop course materials, plan for daily activities, and lead/facilitate excursions and other programmatic elements
- And, importantly, enjoy teaching young people!
CPR and First Aid Certification
At least one instructor at each program site must be CPR and First Aid certified, and copies of their certification cards are kept by the IUHPFL Office. A fully stocked first aid kit is accessible to instructors at every program site and travels with the group on excursions.
Coordinator Roles of Instructors
Instructors must work closely together to teach students, facilitate Community and Cultural Engagement activities, lead excursions, and administer the program onsite. The four administrative roles the instructors fulfill are: Student Coordinator, Finance Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, and Public Relations Coordinator. Although these roles encompass various responsibilities, a general description of each follows.
Student Coordinator
The instructor acting as Student Coordinator is primarily liaison between the Instructor Team, the Onsite Coordinator, and the IUHPFL Director. They take the lead in resolving situations involving host families, in matters pertaining to student health and well-being, and in addressing student disciplinary needs.
Financial Coordinator
The Financial Coordinator implements the program site budget and oversees and tracks all onsite purchases and expenditures during the program.
Logistics Coordinator
This instructor ensures that the Program Calendar and excursion plan are carried out and that all travel arrangements are confirmed in order for the team to tour safely and on schedule.
Public Relations Coordinator
The primary responsibilities of the PR Coordinator include: creating and updating the Program Site Blog (for parents and family members); overseeing the Farewell Show at the end of the program; and facilitating the creation of a program site magazine that students receive as a keepsake of their trip.