Professional Development through Educational Travel
Aventura Cultural Teacher Immersion Programs
NETC is proud to sponsor the Aventura Cultural enrichment immersion program for high school and middle school Spanish teachers, in partnership with our Program Director Tom Alsop. During an Aventura Cultural Program, you will interact with local teachers, learn first-hand about the fascinating culture of Spain or Mexico, and dramatically improve your Spanish skills through immersion in the language. Experience the exciting sights and sounds of the host country in real time and real context - the streets are your classroom!
You can also earn three full hours of graduate credit in Spanish from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs!
Enroll Online Today for an Aventura Cultural Tour:
To enroll, simply log in at the top right of this page, using the appropriate Username and Password shown in the chart below.
Tour Overviews, Highlights & Details: | Tour Dates: | Username | Password |
| La Ruta de Don Quijote | June 5 - June 19, 2010 | Alsop | Quijote |
| Guadalajara, Mexico | June 26 - July 12, 2010 | Alsop | Mexico |
| Madrid, Spain | July 17 - August 2, 2010 | Alsop | Madrid |
| |
| Save up to $400 for enrolling early |
You can also contact Program Director, Tom Alsop at 317-213-8764 or email talsop@indy.rr.com, if you have any questions.
The Value of Travel for Teachers
Aventura Cultural's proven immersion methods will dramatically improve your Spanish, benefit your teaching skills, and provide a wealth of useful activities for your own classroom. The experience and knowledge you gain from Aventura Cultural will be invaluable to you, both professionally and personally. You'll be able to live with a host family, receive one-on-one instruction, work on mini-methods with Tom Alsop and create your own personal culture project to use in your lessons.
"The program really reflects its name: "Aventura Cultural." It included all aspects of cultural life in Madrid. It opened my eyes to this country and its capital."
- Tatyanna Malyk, Foreign Language Teacher (Spanish, Russian & Latin)
Tour Expense and Fundraising Tips
- Expenses incurred in the immersion program may be eligible as a tax deduction related to your teaching profession. Please check with your tax advisor.
- For ideas on for fundraising ideas to help you raise money for the immersion program, please click here.
- Be sure to ask your local school district if there is any money available for travel programs such as the immersion program.
- Check to see if there are any state, regional or national grants/scholarships available for immersion programs in Mexico or Spain.
Participation in Aventura Cultural qualifies you for three hours of graduate Spanish credit through the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Introducing the Director of Aventura Cultural, Tom Alsop
Tom is a former high school Spanish teacher at Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN. He now teaches Spanish at Butler University. Tom has directed 17 Spanish teacher immersion programs and traveled with more than 30 student groups to Spain and Mexico. Tom is a past IFLTA Teacher of the Year, Indiana AATSP, Ben Davis HS and Wayne Township Teacher of the Year. Tom was awarded the prestigious ACTFL Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture. He is an accomplished author of over 270 books/videos/poster sets for teachers. Teacher's Discovery has produced a special brand for Tom's books. He serves as Director of Technology on the Board of Directors of the National Spanish Honor Society.
Teachers and Students can Earn Academic Credit from California State University, Sacramento
- Available for Teachers & Professors, college students, high school juniors & seniors
- Earn up to six undergraduate credits (one for each week of travel).
- Earn up to four graduate ("post-bacc") credits (one for each week of travel).
- For teachers: Many school districts accept academic credits (15 hours per credit) as Continuing Education Units.
Visit www.cce.csus.edu/programs/travelstudy.htm for details about the California State University Travel Study Program, or contact the Program Coordinator, Deborah Hansen at (916) 278-4554 or via email at deborah.hansen@csus.edu.