The Cultural Exchange Project comes under the umbrella of Academic Language Solutions (Randy LeGrant and Kevin Morgan) and organises Teaching and Tutoring programmes abroad, as well as Au Pair and Camp counsellor opportunities throughout the world. We are launching new “TEFL Plus” courses that combine the principles of TEFL with the techniques of the world-renowned Renzulli Learning method. We offer student-centred, personalised learning styles and project-based learning.

1. Can you elaborate a little more on who you are and how The Cultural Exchange Project started?

We started in the mid-1990’s as The GeoVisions Foundation. Through GeoVisions, we had been bringing students into the USA on J-1 Exchange programmes, and we started the Foundation so that we could make similar opportunities available to Americans, and other native English speakers so they could work and teach abroad.

2. What support and resources do you offer to participants of your Au Pair and Camp Counsellor opportunities to ensure their success and well-being while abroad?

We provide thorough pre-departure orientation materials and supplement that with on-the-ground support when participants go overseas. Uniquely, we have designed educational materials that help our candidates be better English tutors and counselors. Our special relationship with Renzulli Learning allows us to design courses that instruct our participants in individualised learning techniques and make international cultural exchange projects possible.

3. How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your programmes, particularly the new TEFL Plus courses, and what feedback mechanisms are in place for continuous improvement?

We have built in participant feedback in all our programmes through the use of surveys and interviews. We also have help lines available to allow constant two-way communication during the program. Our curriculum experts have incorporated Renzulli Learning techniques that feature constant feedback between tutors and their students and are reviewed by advisors.

4. How has the recent development of AI affected your organisation and the industry you work in?

AI impacts almost all facets of our organisation and our products. We utilise AI to create our lessons and present materials to learners in our new TEFL Plus course. On our newest English tests, grading is almost instantaneous thanks to AI scoring, including the measurement of writing and speaking. On our tutoring programmes, our instruction for tutors incorporates Renzulli Learning pedagogy, is created with AI writing, and even is presented by lifelike avatars, allowing us to personalise learning.

5. Are there any thoughts or updates you would like to add?

The Cultural Exchange Project is proud to expand our activities and offer these projects, programmes, and courses to members of the WYSE Travel Confederation. The principals in our organisation are Mike DiMauro, Randy LeGrant and Kevin Morgan, and together they bring over a century of service and experience in international cultural and educational exchange to the Confederation. We are always available to share our thoughts and talents.