#ChileMassTeachers Program 2021,

Seven (7) Chilean teachers working in vulnerable areas in Chile have been awarded scholarships by ChileMass to improve their English at Framingham State University, Boston, Massachusetts (FSU), founded in 1839. The program starts with virtual classes on Jan-Feb Phase 1, and then Phase 2 in-person at Boston, MA to be carried out on June or Sept 2021, pandemic permitting.

One of the awards is an English teacher, Mrs. ERIKA FLORES of Fr. Alvaro Lavín School from SUMATE-Hogar de Cristo, located in Maipú-Santiago-Chile. It is one of five Re-Entry Schools from Hogar de Cristo to retrieve Learning Education Trajectories of vulnerable Children and Youth that has been excluded from the Education System in Chile.

As English is a global language and the main of international business, we have a long way to go to improve English language skills, realizing that low-level English skills in Chile are detrimental to a strong sustainable, and inclusive socio-economic development to insert the country into the next level.

Chile Massachusetts Alliance Inc – ChileMass, is a non-profit organization 501(C)3 incorporated in the United States that seeks to foster innovation in technology, energy, and education. The organization has liaisons and counts on the support of MOITI ( The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment), the Chilean Embassy in D.C., and CORFO.

Chile has a low competence rating in the EF English proficiency index (46/88), and only 6% of English teachers meet the standards required by the Ministry of Education, Chile. The English Teachers Program was designed by FSU and ChileMass to improve their English, and train teachers in pedagogical methodologies and innovative technologies to apply in the classroom. 

In our case, an exciting stage will be when Erika returns to Chile once finishes her studies in Boston MA and can share and pass her experience with their students and colleagues.

A great initiative led by ChileMass with the direct support of the Chilean Embassy in D.C that we truly appreciate.