22nd World Congress on Reading:
Reading in a Diverse World

San José, Costa Rica
July 28 to 31, 2008

Costa Rica – the jewel of Central America – hosts the 2008 World Congress on Reading. Join your peers for workshops, sessions, symposia, and reports on the hottest topics in literacy.

Networking opportunities abound, from the Welcome Reception to daily luncheons with leaders in literacy education.

Program

Featured speakers will include:

President of Costa Rica and a Nobel Prize-winner, Óscar Arias is a widely respected educator, scholar, and political leader.

Claude Goldenberg is a professor of education at Stanford University, and a noted expert on English-language learning.

Emilia Ferreiro is well known for her research and theories on literacy and its importance to a free and democratic society.

More than 170 information-packed sessions, symposia, workshops, and reports on the hottest topics in literacy today, including:

Learning Communities
Research
Professional Development issues
Research-to-Practice
Responding to Diversity
Teaching Reading
And more...from the leading authorities in the field!

Registration information

Preregistration is now closed. Registration is now required upon arrival at the Ramada Plaza Herradura Conference Hotel in the North Vestibule.

Registration hours are:

Monday, July 28: 12:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 31: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The following registration fees include all meetings and general sessions. Where noted, a Welcoming Reception ticket is included. Additional Welcome Reception tickets may be purchased at $35 each.

Daily luncheons are not included with registration fees. There is a separate charge of $15 per person for luncheons offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

ON-SITE REGISTRATION FEES
Full Congress rates (includes Welcoming Reception)
Member / Nonmember	US$440 / CRC 234,815
Economically developing country	US$175 / CRC 93,392.20
Single day (Tues, Wed, or Thurs) (does not include meals)
Member / Nonmember	US$220 / CRC 106,734
Economically developing country	US$100 / CRC 53,367

Travel and Accommodations

Book your hotel room early for convenient travel to and from sessions.* And don’t forget to book some sightseeing, too. Costa Rica is known as the “Jewel of Central America”, so don’t miss the beautiful scenery and wonderful weather.

* Hotel rooms are limited. In order to guarantee accommodations at a hotel close to the conference venue, we strongly recommend making your reservations as early as possible. Shuttle service is not available at any hotel.

You must register for the conference in order to make a hotel reservation. You should be sure your conference registration is complete before proceeding to book hotel reservations.

What to Expect in Costa Rica

Review these notes to make the most of your getaway!

Known As
The “jewel of Central America” and “the Switzerland of Central America.”
Known For
With a rich variety of flora and fauna that is accessible to visitors, it’s among the best for ecotourism.
Government
A longtime history of uninterrupted democracy.
Literacy and Education
At 96 percent, Costa Rica enjoys one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America. The Constitution guarantees public education.
Language
Spanish.
Common Expression
“Pura Vida” or the Pure Life. Visit and you’ll live it.
Proximity to the U.S.
Just a few hours from Miami, four hours from Houston, five hours from New York, and six hours from Los Angeles.
Weather
It’s pleasant, sunny, and generally spring-like year round, but prepare for occasional short and intense periods of rain. Pack a poncho and an umbrella.

Contact customer service for more information about this or any other IRA meeting.

22nd World Congress on Reading: Reading in a Diverse World

San José, Costa Rica July 28 to 31, 2008