Dr. Perla Blejer has joined the University of Maryland, Department of Curriculum and Instruction at College Park as the Director of the Second Language Program, TESOL and Foreign Language. Dr. Blejer teaches Foreign Language Methods I and Methods II classes (EDCI 330 and EDCI 433). She has traveled and lived in many countries around the world, such as Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Nepal, Israel and South Africa. These international experiences have widened her cultural awareness and sharpened her sensitivities to the unique educational needs of all individuals and of diverse populations. Dr. Blejer holds a bachelor's degree in literature and sociology form the Hebrew University, two graduate degrees, a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University and an educational specialist degree in Curriculum Development from the George Washington University. She holds a doctoral degree from the George Washington University in educational leadership with a specialization in higher education administration. Her dissertation study examined the reforms undertaken by Israel's higher education system in the 1990's in an attempt to provide its disadvantaged population with equal access to higher education. Dr. Blejer has taught courses in foreign language methods, curriculum design, educational psychology and sociology at the college level. She also taught foreign languages at the secondary level. Her professional experience includes teacher training in the field of teaching foreign language and curriculum design. She also has over 15 years of experience in the administration of foreign languages department.