Nine international teachers will be in Kansas classrooms this fall to give students exposure to other cultures and languages.

The state Department of Education began the Visiting International Teacher program in 2001.

The program allows certified teachers from Spain and China to spend up to three years teaching in Kansas public schools. They typically provide instruction in Spanish and Chinese, and in English to students who are learning it as a second language.

They are also permitted to teach art, math and science in elementary grades.

All teachers are screened and sponsored by the state Education Department. The agency provides assistance to the visiting educators and to the school districts where they will teach, including any cultural adjustments to the U.S.