This summer, Missouri State University’s English Language Institute (ELI) is honored to once again host the Fulbright PDPI program (Programa de Desenvolvimento Profissional para Professores de Língua Inglesa nos EUA). As one of only eight institutions across the United States selected to offer this initiative, MSU is proud to welcome 41 English teachers from public schools across Brazil for a six-week journey of academic and cultural immersion. 

Now in its sixth year at MSU, the PDPI program provides participants with a rigorous schedule focused on professional development in English language instruction. The curriculum features core coursework in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) methods, pronunciation, lesson planning and materials design, and project mentoring, along with an engaging course on U.S. history and culture. 

Participants explore a wide range of topics including language awareness, assessment strategies, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, and classroom management. Through targeted workshops, they gain valuable tools for teaching pronunciation and for selecting and designing classroom materials that best meet their students’ needs. 

Beyond the classroom, PDPI participants enjoy hands-on cultural experiences that deepen their understanding of American life. Trips include visits to Bentonville, AR—home to the Walmart Museum, the Museum of Native American History, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art—as well as an overnight excursion to Branson, where the group explores Silver Dollar City, Marvel Cave, and Branson’s Landing. In Springfield, teachers visit the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, public schools, the Boys and Girls Club, Hammons Field, and even spend time engaging with seniors at the Bungalows Retirement Community. 

To conclude their stay, participants took part in Springfield’s First Friday ArtWalk on August 1, where they hosted a vibrant cultural showcase highlighting Brazilian cuisine, art, and traditions, with a special emphasis on the diversity of the Amazon region.  

Missouri State University is proud to be a continuing partner in this impactful initiative—fostering global connections, enriching cross-cultural understanding, and advancing excellence in English language teaching.