US Embassy to boost skills of teachers of English

The U.S. embassy has stepped into improve skills of teachers of English in Sri Lanka through one of their programmes, a statement said yesterday.

The Embassy said in the statement that it hosted 40 teachers across Sri Lanka for a two-day ‘Access Teacher Training’ in Colombo.

The statement said that English Language specialists from the United States conducted the training programme, which included lessons on critical thinking, leadership skills, community service, personal development, and U.S. culture and values. Access teachers prepared students for future educational and employment opportunities by nurturing their talents.

“Giving students the tools necessary to participate in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace, will assist them in securing well-paying, skilled work and enable Sri Lanka to build a competitive labour force,” said U.S. Ambassador Alaina Teplitz.

“This training will help teachers to prepare the next generation of Sri Lankan leaders to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” she said.

“Launched in Sri Lanka in 2004, the Access programme provides a foundation of English language skills to the bright, economically disadvantaged students, primarily aged 13 to 20 years. Access programmes cultivate English languages skills that enable participants who complete the programme to pursue a wider range of employment and educational options. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States. There are ten Access centers throughout Sri Lanka. Access teachers receive training in-country and overseas.,” it was said.