On a two-week assignment in South Africa, Specialist Efrain Diaz visited several English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) sites across the country to conduct a program needs assessment. Diaz met with two Access coordinators and 12 teachers to talk about their specific needs and expectations for the program, conducted a mini-workshop for Access teachers, observed Access classes for nearly 300 students, and met with four Fulbright English Teacher Assistants. Based on his observations, Diaz recommended additional professional development training activities for teachers and updates to the Access teachers’ manual to make it more teacher-friendly, student-centered, and universal for use in other African English speaking countries.
Efrain Diaz possesses a MS in TESOL and has done extensive professional development for EFL and ELL students in the U.S. and abroad. He designs professional development trainings and writes educational materials for teaching English, English through content, and English for specific purposes.