Teacher Training
To help upgrade teacher training, LearnLink will review and refocus the existing national curriculum to reflect the new mandate for bilingualism and multiculturalism. A collaboration with Guatemala’s Departmental Directorate of Education (DDE) of the Ministry of Education will work toward creating a new teacher credential called Bilingual Primary Teacher with a Specialty in Educational Technology.

New materials will include the development of five multi-media, interactive CD-ROMs for teaching K’iche’ and Ixil spoken languages, numbers, reading skills, songs, vocabulary drills, and grammar. These CD-ROMs, as well as audiovisual presentations, will concentrate on fluency in reading and writing and will include self-examination exercises. In addition to culturally relevant topics, content will include innovative ways of addressing issues, such as girls’ education, teaching techniques, and whole language learning.

In Juan de León and Cunén, where existing facilities already include computers, staff is conducting a needs assessment to determine whether to upgrade equipment and facilities or add new computers and peripherals. LearnLink installed a new lab with approximately eight computers and supporting peripherals and software in each of the other two training centers, Nebaj and Joyabaj.

Early Learning Activities
Outreach includes the development of a special series of radio programs for pre-schoolers, which will include short Mayan songs and stories in K’iche’ and Ixil. Other materials may include coloring books, eye-catching posters, and puzzles. Teacher training schools will assume responsibility for creating their own set of culturally appropriate, illustrated print materials for young children. To this end, project staff will train student teachers in desktop publishing applications and audiovisual production. After product development, materials will be given to Santa Cruz staff to distribute more widely.