English Language Training (ELT)
Project Experience in ELT
AMIDEAST combines its experience as a provider of quality English language training with its substantial know-how in the areas of grant management and project administration to successfully implement programs such as the following:
Basic Business Skills Acquisition Program
AMIDEAST/Egypt is currently training recent university graduates in the critical business skills required for employment through the Basic Business Skills Acquisition (BBSA) program, offered in partnership with the Future Generation Foundation (FGF), an Egyptian nongovernmental organization headed by Mr. Gamal Mubarak and including some of Egypt's leading businessmen. The BBSA program is a three-month, full-time intensive learning experience that builds critical employment skills including business English, computer applications, and business and job entry tools. Since 2000, AMIDEAST/Egypt has delivered the BBSA program to 8,155 recent graduates in Cairo, Assiut, and Alexandria.
English Language Testing and Training (ELTT)
From 1998 to 2004, AMIDEAST was subcontracted by the American University in Cairo to provide English language training to senior teachers and supervisors from urban and rural school districts in Egypt as part of a USAID-sponsored program to improve education in public schools. In 2001, over 150 Egyptian educators from villages near Minya, Beni Suef and Fayoum participated in ELTT classes. From 2002 to 2004, the project focused on school reform in disadvantaged areas of Alexandria, training 200 administrators, teachers and community leaders. The program helped participants develop the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills needed to participate in short- and long-term technical training in the United States and elsewhere. The program changed significantly in 2004, and since then, AMIDEAST has worked closely with USAID Technical Assistance Contractors (TACs) to conduct training needs assessments to determine the human capacity requirements of the Egyptian partner institutions. AMIDEAST, with input from the USAID TACs and partner institutions, is developing ELT training plans to address those needs and to improve individual and institutional performance. At the same time, the program is administering the CEPA and iBT TOEFL exams and providing registration services for university entrance exams including the GRE and GMAT.
Integrated English Language Program II (IELP II)
From 1998 to 2004, AMIDEAST, together with the Academy for Educational Development and Egyptian and U.S. institutions, provided quality pre-service and in-service training to Egyptian English teachers as part of this USAID-funded project. The program trained over 15,000 Egyptian professionals who teach English as a foreign language, benefiting primary and secondary schools, universities, and businesses. Training consisted of in-region workshops and classes, and U.S.-based technical training and visits to schools and universities.
Legal English/Legal Rights English
AMIDEAST developed, piloted, and published six English for Special Purposes curricula: Advanced Legal English, two levels of Intermediate Legal English, Advanced Legal Rights English, and two levels of Intermediate Legal Rights English. Program participants included judges and public prosecutors in addition to volunteers and employees from community service organizations. In addition, a Legal English and Legal Resources Library was created at AMIDEAST's office in Cairo. The purpose of this project was to improve legal rights knowledge in Egypt through education and training activities. These activities supported groups and networks working to foster citizen awareness of rights and responsibilities.
Military Language Institute
From 1996–2003, AMIDEAST worked closely with the UAE Armed Forces in designing and constructing modern educational facilities and in developing and implementing a computer-based educational program at the Military Language Institute (MLI) in Abu Dhabi. AMIDEAST fielded a number of technical management staff at this institute and coordinated the international recruitment of teachers. The MLI prepares officers and enlisted personnel, from all branches of the UAE Armed Forces, to communicate effectively in English, French, and German in the performance of their military duties and in preparation for language and technical studies abroad. The MLI certifies the academic and linguistic readiness of UAE military personnel selected to study in foreign universities, primarily in the United States.
Professional Certificate in English Teaching (PCET)
AMIDEAST/West Bank and Gaza has been working to significantly improve the quality of English instruction at the primary level in Palestine while providing a process for English teachers to receive continuing professional training in their discipline through the development and delivery of the PCET. The main focus of the program has been to develop reflective teaching practice while imparting new strategies for primary English classes. The program includes intensive training during the summer vacation, followed by workshops during the first semester of the academic year. It also provides opportunities for participants to engage in online discussions with fellow teachers in support of their learning, as well as online sharing of their action plans and research projects. During the course of the program, AMIDEAST’s teacher trainers visit each participant in his or her school, observe classes, and provide individualized feedback on classroom practices.
Youth Skills Enrichment Program (YSEP)
KUWAIT—For the last two years, AMIDEAST/Kuwait worked with Manpower to identify and select trainees to participate in a skills enrichment program sponsored by Citigroup and delivered by AMIDEAST in Kuwait. These participants were trained in career-related leadership and English communication skills as well as in vocational skills directly relevant to local needs.
EGYPT—Citigroup has also sponsored YSEP in Egypt. Participants between the ages of 13-17 were recruited by AMIDEAST/Egypt from underserved socioeconomic backgrounds. The trainees, all from Alexandria, participated in carefully designed enrichment workshops and activities appropriate for the development of leadership skills, entrepreneurial initiative, pursuit of higher education, and real-world job experience.
|
