English Learner Empathy Experiences
Educator Language Learning Experiences (ELL Experiences) was founded with a goal to help all people travel abroad to gain new perspectives, but our empathy experiences embody all of our core values. Robin Nelson was an EL teacher and professional development specialist for over 10 years when she decided to develop a new approach to help other teachers help the English learners in their classroom. Empathy experiences are first and foremost professional development opportunities that include active reflection on how to mold teacher pedagogy, classroom practices, and school-based policies to better accommodate English learners in schools. However, during the trips, teachers will have fun through immersive cultural experiences such as cooking or weaving classes, volcano hikes, chocolate and coffee experiences, exploring new cities, and getting to know and love the local people and culture.
Why Guatemala?
While English learners can come from almost any country in the world, the Office of Refugee Resettlement reported in 2023 that 42% of unaccompanied children in the United States came from Guatemala. Teenage students from Guatemala are frequently students with limited or interrupted education (SLIFE) as well. Many secondary schools in particular are seeing a new influx of students from Guatemala in their schools and are struggling to understand how to best help address not only their English learning but also their academic gaps in areas such as math and history and socio-emotional needs resulting from difficulty acclimating to a new school, state, and country, and for many, the trauma of the trip through Mexico to the border with the United States. Empathy trips quickly facilitate brainstorming and strategy building through reflection on participants’ personal experiences as a student in a Guatemalan classroom. These experiences also assist teachers in developing stronger relationships with the English learners in their own classrooms and their families.
Antigua - Level 1
This trip provides travelers with the newcomer experience. Everyone will go to an elementary or middle school and spend a few days as a student in that classroom, have one-on-one Spanish or Mayan language instruction, and experience multiple cultural activities throughout their trip. All trips include a guide with teaching experience to lead the group, facilitate activities and discussion.
Antigua is easy to navigate and serves as a great base to go and visit multiple surrounding areas.
This trip is recommended for people who have limited Spanish, few experiences in other countries or cultures, and prefer to stay generally in one location.
Xela - Level 2
Quetzaltenango (aka Xela) is perfect for travelers who want to know more about Maya culture and smaller, more rural communities. Even though it is the second largest city in Guatemala, Xela has a much different, less tourist-centered environment compared with many of the areas around Antigua and Guatemala City.
Like the Antigua trip, everyone will get the opportunity to be a student for a day and have Spanish or Mayan language classes. Travelers will also have the option to teach an English class for the students of their rural school.
This trip is recommended for people who want to learn more about Maya culture and language, can go uphill most of the day, and have low intermediate or higher level of Spanish proficiency. It is perfect for EL teachers or people who have been on our Antigua trip.
Add-ons
If you need more time, we offer one to two day add-ons to your experience to places such a Tikal or Lake Atitlán, or even an additional week if you would like to experience two weeks in the location of your choice, or combine both our Antigua and Xela trips for a different experience!
