Bilingual, Biliterate, Bicultural Conference at TAMIU

A two-day conference at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will explore the ramifications of being bilingual, biliterate and bicultural Aug. 14-15, 2009.

TAMIU professor of education Dr. Ramón Alaniz, chair of the Conference, said the Conference theme: “Promoting Academic Excellence for Diverse Learners from PK-12,” underscores the organizers’ goals of training teachers to work with English Language Learners (ELLs).

“Through this professional development opportunity, we hope to help teachers become more aware of the methodologies and strategies that will develop proficiencies in the English and Spanish languages as well as to develop the academic language proficiency skills that assist ELLs achieve academic success,” Dr. Alaniz explained.

The Conference begins Friday at 3 p.m. with registration in the Student Center Rotunda. Exhibits, breakout sessions and keynote speakers are scheduled till 7:30 p.m. The Conference resumes Saturday at 7:30 a.m. in the Student Center Rotunda, continuing until 2:45 p.m.

Conference cost is $85 per participant and will include a luncheon on Saturday. On-site registration, without the luncheon, is available on August 14-15 in the Student Center rotunda. All proceeds from the Conference will support TAMIU Bilingual Education Student Scholarships.

In addition to presentations by guest lecturers, interest sessions will be offered on the Conference theme. The two keynote speakers for this year’s Conference are Dr. Ray M. Keck, TAMIU president and Dr. Elena Izquierdo, associate professor of Teacher Education from the University of Texas at El Paso. Various University facilities will be utilized for the Conference.

Among the featured speakers are Dr. Joe Bernal, former Senator of the State of Texas and former vice chair of the State Board of Education; Dr. Jesús Humberto González, González, coordinator of the Departamento de Seguimiento de Egresados de la Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL); Dr. Evelyn Arroyo, founder and author Institution/Organization: A+Rise, and Dr. Dalinda Solis, ESL Institution: Mission CISD and former university faculty member in Texas and Colorado.

For further information visit the Conference Web site, located at tamiu.edu/coedu/bilingualconference

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu