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UWI School of Education Showcase Strengthens National Network of Foreign Language Educators

For Release Upon Receipt - July 3, 2026

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – July 03, 2026 - What began four years ago as an initiative to connect foreign language Secondary School teachers has evolved into a growing professional learning community that is helping to strengthen language education across Trinidad and Tobago.

That progress was on display on June 24 as The University of the West Indies (The UWI) School of Education hosted its 4th Annual Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Showcase under the theme "Languages Connect, Cultures Unite," bringing together educators, stakeholders and institutional partners for a day of professional learning, collaboration and the exchange of innovative teaching practices.

Now established as one of the School of Education's signature annual events, the Showcase provides foreign language educators with opportunities to share best practices, explore new approaches to teaching and learning, and strengthen professional networks, reinforcing the role of language education in fostering intercultural understanding.

Organised this year by the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Teaching of Foreign Languages) 2025/2026 Cohort under the guidance of School of Education lecturers Murella Sambucharan and Susan Otway-Charles, the event also serves as an authentic leadership experience for postgraduate students which they can now implement in their own schools across the country. 

The Dip.Ed students were responsible for conceptualising, planning and executing a large-scale professional development event, allowing them to apply the leadership, collaboration and organisational skills developed throughout the programme.

Murella Sambucharan, Team Lead for the Teaching of Foreign Languages at The UWI School of Education, said, “The MFL Showcase is built on a simple belief: the strongest educational communities are those where teachers learn from teachers. Our philosophy of ‘for teachers, by teachers’ has transformed this event into a vibrant professional learning community where collaboration, innovation and shared experiences continue to strengthen foreign language education across Trinidad and Tobago.”

The PG Dip.Ed. (Teaching of Foreign Languages) prepares in-service secondary school teachers to become reflective practitioners, instructional leaders and innovators in language education. Through portfolio preparation, action research, teaching practice and collaborative initiatives such as the annual MFL Showcase, graduates are equipped to lead meaningful change within their schools while promoting intercultural understanding.

A defining feature of the MFL Showcase is its collaborative approach. This year's event was once again delivered in partnership with the Modern Languages Unit of the Curriculum Planning and Development Division (CPDD) of the Ministry of Education, reflecting the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening the quality of foreign language education in Trinidad and Tobago.

Additional support came from the Alliance Française, the Embassy of México, The UWI's Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (DMLL), the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) and a range of sponsors and exhibitors, who showcased educational resources, programmes and opportunities available to language educators.

The programme featured interactive workshops, rapid-fire classroom strategies, wellness activities, lunchtime networking sessions and exhibitions highlighting educational resources for the classroom. The day culminated in a fiesta finale, where attendees were invited to partake in a Latin-dance session over some ‘mocktails.’

The event also recognised outstanding graduates of the PG Dip.Ed. programme. Kim Lett and Grace Grant, top achievers of the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 cohorts respectively, were acknowledged for their academic excellence and continuing contributions to schools across the country. During the MFL Super Educators Roundtable, programme graduates Tinuke Ola-Peters and Atiyah Mohamed were recognised for their outstanding contributions to foreign language education within their schools.

Reflecting on the MFL Showcase, the organisers described it as more than a professional development event, noting that it continues to strengthen relationships among educators while creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation and leadership across the foreign language education community.

As the annual Showcase has evolved, it has demonstrated the value of sustained collaboration among universities, schools, government agencies and international partners in advancing educational excellence and strengthening language education throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

 

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Photo Caption

 

Photo 1:

L-R: Ms. Murella Sambucharan, SoE MFL Lecturer; Mrs. Sandy Leben-Farrell, Curriculum Coordinator Modern Foreign Languages; Ms. Atiyah Mohamed, Super Educator MFL Spanish; Ms. Tinuke Ola-Peters, Super Educator MFL French; Dr. Rawatee Maharaj-Sharma, SoE Director;  and Mr. Dev Pooma, Curriculum Coordinator Modern Foreign Languages.

Click here to view photo highlights  https://heyzine.com/flip-book/f79cddf28e.html

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This recognition has also spring boarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.

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