For most area schools in El Paso, Texas, the class bell will ring in just a few weeks -- but teachers wanting to be further educated will be on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso for two days.

About 200 educators from throughout the region who teach kindergarteners through college students plan to attend interactive workshops that focus on current and relevant research regarding teaching in bilingual education areas and English language proficiency standards. This is the fifth year that the University's College of Education has organized a summer conference for educators starting on July 20 - 21.

The Conference for International Research in Cross-cultural Learning and Education, or CIRCLE, helps educators learn various teaching strategies that will then help students learn difficult concepts. For example, workshops mostly focus on the needs of the borderland's Hispanic student population, especially those that are English language learners. Dr. Josie Tinajero, dean of the College of Education, said the challenge in this area of education continues to be teaching students both the English language and other school subjects in a comprehensible way.

"So, being able to share information about how to reach students that don't speak English," according to Tinajero, is what educators want to take back with them when the fall term begins.

Tinajero said teacher will have to get their English lessons across "in a way that is meaningful and understandable, and the basic idea is that students can also learn through their native language." Another issue to be discussed during the summer conference is how best to get students excited about the lessons taught.

Vivian Thomas teaches English, English as a second language and speech at Coronado High School. Thomas said she is interested in teaching English in an international setting.

"I want to see how other countries educate their students," said Thomas. "Especially since I have a lot of English language learners in my English class, and (am) trying to touch those students and get them to learn the English content."

Thomas said she hopes the workshops will help her find different strategies that will accomplish that goal. Thomas also said that one key to becoming a better educator is to be adaptable to new research, "especially when you have different levels of learning among students."

Another important area of educational research that teachers will discuss throughout the sessions will focus on teaching students critical thinking. According to Tinajero, that is an important area of education for students as they transition from elementary and middle school to high school and college.

Eventually, university organizers hope this conference will eventually attract not only teachers from this region, but perhaps expand its attendee numbers to include national and international educators.