ALC News
American Language Center
Presenting the American Language Center
Operating in Ouagadougou since 1985, the American Language Center (ALC) is a public diplomacy program of the American Embassy specialized in English language teaching. The ALC offers courses to adults and secondary school students with over 400 students enrolled every quarter. The goal of the ALC is to break down communication barriers through teaching English. To do this, the Center offers a variety of courses. It also offers a range of services related to the English language.
Where is the ALC located?
The American Language Center is in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. It is located at 62, Avenue Mogho Naba Wobgo (formerly Avenue Bassawarga) across from the Kamsaonghin water tower, in sector 7 (Samandin).
When is the ALC open?
Monday-Friday 9:00-12:00 & 15:30-18:30
Saturday 8:00-11:00
How can I contact the ALC?
American Language Center
American Embassy
2440 Ouagadougou Place
Washington, D. C. 20521-2440
USA
Or
American Language Center
01 B. P. 35
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
Telephone: (226) 50. 30. 63. 60
FAX: (226) 50. 31. 52. 73
E-mail: alcouaga@fasonet.bf
What services are offered by the ALC?
The ALC has a regular English course program to serve the general public. The Center also has a contract course program for individual clients and businesses or organizations desiring more specialized English training. The ALC does English to French and French to English translations related to documents needed by candidates wishing to study in the USA. The Center also offers English proficiency testing. As a support to its English training program, the ALC has an on-site bookstore called Bountiful Books, offering a variety of books and audio cassettes for sale. The ALC also has an active English teacher training program and organizes teacher training workshops and seminars throughout Burkina Faso.
Regular Courses (44/50 hours)
These are trimester courses organized on a fixed schedule throughout the year. The courses are divided into four (4) cycles with each cycle comprised of several levels. Each level consists of a 44-hour trimester course, except for levels 100 and 101, which are 50-hour courses. This program is designed to provide learners with a solid base in the English language and to improve their knowledge of English on all levels.
American Language Center English Program
CYCLES
LEVELS/COURSES
Cycle I
Beginner 100
101
102
103
Cycle II
Intermediate
201
202
203
Cycle III
Intermediate
301
302
303
Cycle IV
Advanced
401
402
403
The possible class schedules are as follows:
Formula “B” Mondays & Thursdays 6:30-8:30 PM
Formula “C” Tuesdays & Fridays 6:30-8:30 PM
Formula “D” Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 PM
& Saturdays 8:30-10:30 AM
Enrollment fees
Sponsored students 65,500 FCFA
Other students 59,500 FCFA
N. B.: All fees must be paid in full before a course begins. Paying by installment is not allowed except when payment is being made in advance of a course.
If you are:
-
Placed at level 100 or 101, you will need to make an additional payment of 6,000 FCFA to complete your enrollment fees due to the increased number of hours these classes meet (50 instead of 44).
-
Placed at level 302, 303, 401, or 402, you will need to make an additional payment of 5,500 FCFA to cover the costs of materials used for these classes. For continuing students, there is no materials fee for classes/levels 303 and 402.
Non-sponsored students will benefit from a discount of 2,000 FCFA upon their second enrollment. Upon the third enrollment this discount will increase to 4,000 FCFA.
CALENDAR 2009/2010
Session I: October 5-December 19, 2009
Enrollment period: September 21-29, 2009
Placement test: September 29 & 30, 2009 at 18:00
Session II: January 4-March 20, 2010
Enrollment period: December 21-29, 2009
Placement test: December 29 & 30, 2009 at 18:00
Session III: April 5-June 19, 2010
Enrollment period: March 22-30, 2010
Placement test: March 30 & 31, 2010 at 18:00
Session IV: The program will be announced in May 2010.
Contract Courses (40/50 hours)
Contract courses are by nature specialized and more tailored to a client’s professional English language needs than the regular course program. These courses are organized upon the request of an individual, an organization, or a business to address specific English training needs. Contract classes can take place at the ALC or at the place of work or home of a client. Contract courses are scheduled as 40-hour modules for individuals and 50-hour modules for groups.
Please contact the ALC Program Assistant for fees and other information concerning these courses.
Conversation Courses (40 hours)
These classes are organized by the ALC to help our students improve their English speaking skills. Classes meet twice a week for a total of 5 hours per week for 8 weeks.
Enrollment Fees
Sponsored students 59,000 FCFA
Other students 53,000 FCFA
Session I: November 4-December 26, 2009
Enrollment period: October 26-30, 2009
Placement test: October 31, 2009 at 10:45
Session II: May 5-June 26, 2010
Enrollment period: April 21-28, 2010
Placement test: April 28, 2010 at 18:00
Intensive Courses (44/50 hours)
These are the same as our regular courses but the schedule is condensed into a shorter timeframe.
For information concerning fees and course organization, see the section called “Regular Courses.”
Session I: February 8-20, 2010
Enrollment period: January 25-30, 2010
Placement test: January 30, 2010 at 10:45
Session II: The program will be announced in May 2010.
Summer Vacation Courses for Secondary School Students (90 hours)
Every July and August the American Language Center organizes intensive summer vacation courses for secondary school students (junior high “collège” and senior high school “lycée”). Each session is 90 hours and includes classroom instruction which covers all English language skill areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In addition, students participate in ‘camp’ activities including songs, games, films, and cultural activities. The goal of these courses is to help students develop their proficiency in speaking English and to ground them with an enhanced understanding of the structural aspects of the English language. These courses meet for four (4) weeks Monday through Friday in the mornings.
Enrollment fees
All students 57,000 FCFA
The program will be announced in May 2010.
TOEFL Preparation (50 hours)
The American Language Center is the official test site for the TOEFL exam as well as a number of other standardized exams such as GRE, LSAT, etc.
Enrollment fees
Sponsored students 84,500 FCFA
Other students 78,500 FCFA
Session I: October 13, 2009 – January 5, 2010
Enrollment period: October 1-12, 2009
Candidates must show proof of an advanced level in English to enroll.
Session II: February 9 - May 4, 2010
Enrollment period: February 1-8, 2010
Candidates must show proof of an advanced level in English to enroll.
To register for the TOEFL exam, please consult the following web site for information: ww.ets.org/toefl.
TOEFL exam dates in Ouagadougou:
· October 17, 2009
· November 14, 2009
· January 16, 2010
· May 8, 2010
Other information on ALC courses
Enrollment
With the first enrollment of the academic year, all students are required to pay the annual administrative fee. New students must also furnish two (2) ID photos at the time of enrollment. Continuing students should present their current ALC student card at the time of enrollment in order to be exempted from paying the administrative fee again during the year. For those students who are being sponsored by their employer, a letter of guarantee signed by the employer is required. All enrollment fees are to be paid in full before the beginning of each course.
N. B.: With the exception of contract courses, a course cannot take place unless a certain minimum number of students are enrolled.
Placement test
All new students must take a placement test after their enrollment fees are paid and before they are officially enrolled in a given class. This test occurs before classes begin each session.
Other services provided by ALC
Translation
The American Language Center has a wealth of experience in translation work. The ALC has highly qualified staff skilled at doing French to English and English to French translations. The ALC accepts only documents for translation that are related to enrollments in American universities such as transcripts, diplomas, birth certificates, marriage licenses, bank statements, legal documents, etc.
Fee 8,000 FCFA/page and up, depending on the
nature of the document
English Proficiency Testing
The ALC offers two (2) types of English proficiency tests. These tests are offered on the first Friday of each month. Candidates must register to sit for these exams at least 24 hours in advance.
· TELP (Test of English Language Proficiency)
· Michigan Test of English
Fee 17,000 FCFA
Bountiful Books
The ALC has an on-site bookstore where supplemental materials for English learners are sold. There are books and audio cassettes for all levels. There is also a great collection of titles for English teachers available. Bountiful Books is located in the ALC reception and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon and from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.
English Teachers Training
Another aspect of the ALC mission is to help train local English teachers. Through the ALC and its programs, the American Embassy promotes the teaching of English in Burkina Faso. By training English teachers, the ALC helps the Burkinabe students to obtain higher quality and more efficient English language instruction. The ALC will spare no effort to respond to the training needs expressed by local English teachers within the limits of the resources at its disposal. In addition, the ALC’s Bountiful Books bookstore has an excellent collection of pedagogical materials available for sale to all English teachers to help them in their professional development pursuits.
Regular Courses (44/50 hours)
Session I: October 5-December 19, 2009
Enrollment period: September 21-29, 2009
Placement test: September 29 & 30, 2009 at 18:00
Session II: January 4-March 20, 2010
Enrollment period: December 21-29, 2009
Placement test: December 29 & 30, 2009 at 18:00
Session III: April 5-June 19, 2010
Enrollment period: March 22-30, 2010
Placement test: March 30 & 31, 2010 at 18:00
Session IV: The program will be announced in May 2010.
“Hot Topics” Advanced Discussion Group (20 hours)
Session I: October 7-December 9, 2009
Enrollment: September 28-October 6, 2009
Session II: January 6-March 10, 2010
Enrollment: December 28, 2009-January 5, 2010
Session III: April 7-June 9, 2010
Enrollment: March 29-April 6, 2010
Proof of an advanced level in English is required for participation.
Conversation Courses (40 hours)
Session I: November 4-December 26, 2009
Enrollment period: October 26-30, 2009
Placement test: October 31, 2009 at 10:45
Session II: May 5-June 26, 2010
Enrollment period: April 21-28, 2010
Placement test: April 28, 2010 at 18:00
Intensive Courses (44/50 hours)
Session I: February 8-20, 2010
Enrollment period: January 25-30, 2010
Placement test: January 30, 2010 at 10:45
Session II: The program will be announced in May 2010.
Summer Vacation Courses for Secondary School Students (90 hours)
The program will be announced in May 2010.
TOEFL Preparation (50 hours)
Session I: October 13, 2009 – January 5, 2010
Enrollment period: October 1-12, 2009
Candidates must show proof of an advanced level in English to enroll.
Session II: February 9 - May 4, 2010
Enrollment period: February 1-8, 2010
Candidates must show proof of an advanced level in English to enroll.
English Proficiency Testing
English Proficiency testing (TELP, Michigan) is offered the first Friday of every month at 9:00 AM. Testing usually requires the whole morning. Candidates should register at least 24 hours in advance.
English Teachers Training
Another aspect of the ALC mission is to help train local English teachers. Through the ALC and its programs, the American Embassy promotes the teaching of English in Burkina Faso Burkina Faso
Weekly Expression
"Between a rock and a hard place."
Meaning: Between two difficult situations or two difficult choices.