WORLD LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM

It is the mission of the CPS Office of Language and Cultural Education World Languages and International Studies Unit is to provide students from every racial and economic background with the tools to be active players in the global marketplace. The unit oversees K-12 instruction of 11 world languages and implements year round professional development to support the teaching of languages and the fostering of increased international content in all curriculum areas.

Number of Participating Schools in Program (08-09):
Elementary/Middle:     130
High School:                125

Student Enrollment in Program (08-09):
Elementary:                 39,200
High School:                61,975

The World Language and International Studies Unit’s citywide professional development program is divided into two categories; workshops which are held on professional development days and are targeted to teachers from all languages, and; after-school and weekend programs which are targeted at teachers from specific languages. Professional development workshops draw upon local, national and international resources, and focus on classroom management, identifying resources, teaching in the target language and mutual sharing of best practices and materials by CPS teachers. For an updated calendar of World Languages and International Studies professional development opportunities, please click HERE.

OLCE has created international partnerships with schools, districts and cities from around the world through programs such as the Chicago Sister Cities International Program. OLCE currently oversees ten Memorandums of Understanding with various international institutions, regions and governments.

The World Language and International Studies Program also administers the Confucius Institute in Chicago, a partnership between Chicago Public Schools and the Office of Chinese Language Council International. The Confucius Institute in Chicago serves as a resource and professional development center for the teaching of Chinese Language and Culture in the Chicago area. For more information on the Confucius Institute in Chicago, please visit www.confuciusinstitutechicago.org .

World Language and International Studies Unit Staff Contact Information:

Robert A. Davis, Jr., Manager, World Language and International Studies Unit
Director, Confucius Institute in Chicago
Telephone: (773) 553-1949
E-mail:        rdavis@cps.k12.il.us

Cristina Carreto, Assistant to Robert Davis
Telephone: (773) 553-1954   
E-mail:        ccarreto@cps.k12.il.us

Amy Hammerand, Senior Specialist, World Language Professional Development
Telephone:  (773) 553-1968
E-mail:         ahammerand@cps.k12.il.us

Gregory B. Smith, Senior Specialist International Studies Professional Development
Telephone:  (773) 553- 4139
E-mail          gbsmith@cps.k12.il.us

Jane Y. Lu, Senior Specialist, Chinese World Language Professional Development
Telephone:   (773) 534- 0023
E-mail:          jlu@cps.k12.il.us

Michelle Rosales, Assistant, Confucius Institute in Chicago
Telephone:   (773) 534- 0021
E-mail:          mrosales13@cps.k12.il.us

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TEACHER SECTION

STANDARDS