The main goal of the Masters in Technology and English Project (MATE) is to provide high quality professional development for English teachers, in order to improve student English language achievement. It helps English teachers develop the insights, attitudes, knowledge, skills, aspirations, and behaviors to perform more successfully in the classroom using cutting- edge educational technology more effectively and creatively. MATE aims to develop English teacher leaders and improve the quality of English as a Second Language (ESL) education in Puerto Rico.

It provides teachers with credit- bearing courses for a master’s degree in technology and English that can be used as a part of the professional development plan for teacher promotion known as “La Carrera Magisterial”. In this project the teachers participate in a challenging and rigorous program which consists of a minimum of 36 graduate credits and 30 hours of additional workshops.

It is focused on research and standards- based practices of effective professional development. Therefore, it provides high quality, sustained and intensive professional development geared to developing a professional learning community of reflective practitioners that engage in research and integrate effective instructional technology. Throughout courses and workshops teachers are engaged in constructivist practices such as: inquiry, active and performance learning, problem solving, dialogue, demonstrations, reflection, metacognition, and collaboration.

This project is funded by a federal grant under Title II of "No Child Left Behind Act" (P.L. 107-110) administered by the Department of Education of Puerto Rico.