Virtual exchange program links students in San Diego and PH

The program links schools in San Diego County with schools in the Philippines to facilitate language and cultural learning.

SAN DIEGO, California – A new virtual exchange program for will connect San Diego students and teachers with their counterparts in the Philippines.

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and the Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture recently kicked off  Dalawang Baybayin (Two Shores) Intercultural Exchange Program.

The program links schools in San Diego County with schools in the Philippines “to provide students and teachers with authentic opportunities for meaningful interaction and collaboration in world languages.”

“Truly, language is a bridge that brings together people and cultures who are separated by thousands of miles,” said Rizalyn Cruz, president of the Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture.

“We hope this is one of the many ways we can collaborate with each other and deepen everyone’s understanding of the cultures, traditions, and experiences of the other.”

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines, reminded Consul General Edgar Barrairo Badajos, who addressed the group in an online meeting.  The Dalawang Baybayin program, he said, “helps to perpetuate an even greater cultural understanding between our peoples.”

In the 2020-21 school year, SDCOE, with the Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles, created the Dos Orillas Intercultural Exchange Program with the goal of expanding intercultural understanding and global competence and promote engagement and communication.

“Together, we’ve created a collaborative framework for a virtual, intercultural exchange that supports our San Diego County students as global citizens,” explained Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools. “Students gained global competency and cultural proficiency, and really learned how to connect and have empathy for each other’s experiences.”

Both programs provide partner teachers in different countries to collaborate on plans for engaging activities and authentic opportunities for students to interact and practice their language skills and cultural understanding.