Embassy hosts launch of new Burkina English Teachers Association
On October 16, 2009 the American Language Center (ALC) of the US Embassy in Ouagadougou with Regional English Fellow Susan Strand hosted an organizational meeting to launch a new English teaching professional association. Thirty local English teachers attended the organizational meeting at the American Cultural Center in Ouagadougou. Ms Strand led the group in an ice-breaking activity so participants could get acquainted. Then she introduced an association meeting format developed for the English Teachers Association in Mauritania. Participants volunteered for various roles to organize and run the subsequent association meeting. Future meeting time and place were discussed. Ideas were also gathered on how to contact other teachers to join. Teachers attending were enthusiastic about this initiative.
The ALC has been promoting professional development and association-building of Burkina English teachers over the past three years. Through regional English teaching workshops the ALC has been encouraging English teachers all over the country to organize and unite to enhance professional networking and to raise the profession’s profile. Considering the importance of English in today’s global economy and interconnected world, English teachers are in a critical position to power Burkina’s development forward. This meeting then is a continuation of US Embassy initiatives and programs to enhance and promote English teaching in Burkina Faso.