College of Education professor selected to deliver writing workshops for English teachers in Bahrain

March 18, 2026 - 21:38

KINGSTON, R.I. – Dr. Laura Hamman-Ortiz, an assistant professor of TESOL and bilingual education at the University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein College of Education, recently completed a significant international assignment in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Selected for a prestigious U.S. State Department English Language Specialist program, she conducted a series of professional development workshops focused on academic writing for local English teachers.

This journey marked Dr. Hamman-Ortiz's first in-person specialist assignment and her inaugural visit to the Arabian Gulf region. Her work centered on empowering secondary-level English instructors with innovative strategies to teach writing effectively. The workshops addressed contemporary pedagogical methods, aiming to enhance classroom practices and support student success in developing critical writing skills.

The English Language Specialist program sends highly qualified U.S. academics abroad to work on projects that improve English language teaching capacity at institutions worldwide. Dr. Hamman-Ortiz's participation underscores the global demand for expertise in language education and the role of university faculty in fostering international educational exchange. Her work in Bahrain contributed to strengthening professional ties and sharing valuable instructional frameworks with educators abroad, highlighting the cross-cultural collaboration essential in modern education.