Panamá Bilingüe
The Gulf Language School at North American University is pleased to be part of Panamá Bilingüe program, an initiative of the Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela to improve public education and economic development in Panama. Visiting teachers are welcomed to either the eight or the sixteen-week program in English language training and to develop new teaching skills and a global perspective on public and bilingual education.
In addition, the teachers will also participate in continuing professional development through an online program when they return home.
Important Information
| Spring 1 – 2019 Program Dates | |
| Arrival Date | January 10, 2019 |
| Start date of the program | January 14, 2019 |
| End date of the program | March 9, 2019 |
| Departure Date (Return to Panama) | March 10, 2019 |
| Spring 2-2019 Program Dates | |
| Arrival Date | January 10, 2019 |
| Start date of the program | January 14, 2019 |
| End date of the program | March 8, 2019 |
| Departure Date (Return to Panama) | March 10, 2019 |
| Summer 1-2019 and Summer 1-2019 Program Dates Program Dates | |
| Arrival Date | March 13, 2019 |
| Start date of the program | March 18, 2019 |
| End date of the program | June 28, 2019 |
| Summer 1-2019 and Summer 1-2019 Program Dates | |
| Departure Date (Return to Panama) | July 1, 2019 |
| Contact Information | |
| Director: Margaret Combs | [email protected] |
Complaint Form
Gulf Language School is committed to treating all students fairly and respectfully. If you encounter a problem on campus or feel you have been treated unfairly, please click on the image below to access and complete the form for immediate action:
Program Overview
The program consists of language training in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. During the afternoon class time, teachers will participate in a language teaching methodology and research course, teaching strategies, classroom management, educational leadership, and spend time using technology for teaching and learning. The visiting teachers take the ESL ACCUPLACER placement test to determine their level. The placement test is approximately three hours long and includes listening, reading, writing, sentence meaning and grammar.
School visits
Teachers will visit a variety of schools in the Houston area to learn about the educational system and issues that teachers and students face in the United States. In addition, some of the participants will join the Key Women Educators Meeting on Panama to promote professional development program and use of experiential activities.
Professional Development
After completion of the 8 or 16-week program, the teachers will continue their professional development through an 8 or 16-week online program as a review of the that focuses on the project-based learning, differentiated instruction, school-wide communications process and plan, motivating learners, and curriculum development.
Activities
The Intensive English Program offers a variety of activities to give students the opportunity to learn and use English outside the classroom and to further introduce them to American culture and university life. IEP activities include off-campus trips to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, stage performances, campus visits, and fun destinations as well as on-campus activities include events such as International Day, socials, BBQ’s, and more.
Arrival
You will be met at the Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) by a team specialist from the Office of Student Affairs at the North American University. The phone number for Omer Kilinc in Student Affairs’ specialist is: +1 (832) 230 5539.
After you exit the customs area, look for a sign that says NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PANAMA BILINGUE. There will be drivers who will take you from Bush Intercontinental Airport to the campus. If you have any changes before you arrive you can contact Mr. Omer Kilinc at [email protected]
Housing Arrangements
Housing
Boy’s dorm: Chestnut Resident hall – located on the 5th floor of the Main campus building, Chestnut Hall offers students a hub to gather, relax and enjoy all that North American University has to offer. Girl’s dorm: Willow Hall – located on the 6th floor of the Main campus building and is dedicated to providing a safe and relaxing retreat for female residence.
Food
You will be able to eat at the dining facilities at North American University
Books
All books will be provided by the Gulf Language School. Please bring a notebook, paper and other supplies for your studies
ID Cards
You will have a NAU ID card for access to all North American University Facilities
You will have a NAU email to use while you are studying with us. This is used to contact faculty and staff at NAU.
Daily Sample Schedule
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 07:00 – 08:30 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | ||
| 09:00 – 10:00 | IEP | IEP | IEP | IEP | IEP | ||
| 10:00 – 11:00 | IEP | IEP | IEP | IEP | IEP | Brunch | Brunch |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | IEP | IEP | IEP | IEP | IEP | Brunch | Brunch |
| 12:00 – 01:00 | IEP | IEP | Lunch | IEP | IEP | Event | Event |
| 01:00 – 02:00 | Lunch | Lunch | CO | Lunch | Lunch | Event | Event |
| 02:00 – 03:00 | EDUC | CP | CO | CP | Lab | Event | Event |
| 03:00 – 03:30 | EDUC | CP | CO | CP | Lab | Event | Event |
| 03:30 – 04:00 | EDUC | Lab | EDUC | Lab | Lab | Event | Event |
| 04:00 – 04:30 | EDUC | Lab | EDUC | Lab | Lab | Event | Event |
| 04:00 – 04:30 | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | ||
| 05:00 – 07:30 | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner |
Legend
EP – Language classes
EDUC – Education classes
CP – Conversation Partners
CO – Classroom Observation (this could be a classroom observation, a school visit, a workshop/seminar at a public or private school, etc.)
Event – Cultural and social awareness activities
All Star International Sports and Culture
Gulf Language School at North American University is pleased to form a strategic partnership with All Star International Sports and Culture to provide English language training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities.