With the objective of improving the quality of education in Chilean Patagonia, Fundación Patagonia Sur launched its English Education Program in Futaleufú in 2007.  The program, developed in collaboration with and supported by the local municipalities, also aims to strengthen the local communities’ ability to benefit from opportunities in tourism in the area.

Fundación Patagonia Sur has partnered with
WorldTeach, Inc., a non-profit educational organization affiliated with the Center for International Development at Harvard University, to identify, train, and supervise English teachers for the program.  The teachers work in rural and urban elementary schools in Palena and Futaleufú for one year, collaborating with other teachers to offer dynamic and quality English lessons.  In 2010, teachers will also incorporate environmental education initiatives in the program.

In 2009, Biz LaRose and Katharine McCormick lived and worked in Palena and Futaleufú respectively.  Together they taught English to over 200 students from kindergarten to eighth grade, including 38 students from five different rural schools.  In addition, Katharine began an afterschool tutoring program for boarding students and Biz taught a yoga workshop. 

Katharine and Biz organized two “English Olympics” events in 2009, the first inter-school academic competitions in the area.  In June and November 2009, fifteen students from Palena and fifteen students from Futaleufú competed in ten different activities that incorporated speaking and listening skills and tested their English vocabulary.  The Olympics provided a unique opportunity for students to excel academically and demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure.

In June, students from the Roberto White Elementary School of Palena won the competition by a small margin and proudly took home the English Olympics trophy.  Students from Futaleufú prepared for a rematch and on November 12 travelled to Palena where they met their friendly rival.  After a full day of English activities, Futaleufú students celebrated a close victory and claimed the trophy to be displayed in their school.


2010
Fundación Patagonia Sur and WorldTeach have hired teachers Brendon O’Connell and Melanie Kurtz for the 2010 English Education program.  Brendon, a graduate of the University of Colorado in Ecology and Biology, spent 2009 teaching English with WorldTeach in Santiago.  He will live and work Palena from February until December 2010. 

Melanie also graduated from the University of Colorado and has a degree in Environmental Studies.  In 2009 she taught with WorldTeach in Colombia and in 2010 she will join the Fundación Patagonia Sur program in Futaleufú.  Both teachers are eager to incorporate environmental education in the schools where they’ll work.