U.S. EMBASSY INAUGURATES ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN MBEYA - TANZANIA

U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer (RELO) George Chinnery, (third from left seated) teacher representatives from participating secondary Schools, and Access students at the opening ceremony of the English Access Micro-scholarship Program in Mbeya recently. The program provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions

U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer (RELO) George Chinnery, (right) awards an English Access Microscholarship certificate to Rebecca Yambayamba, a student from Sangu Secondary School.

Students participated in an inaugural ceremony of the U.S. Embassy’s English ‘Access’ Microscholarship Program at Sangu Secondary School in Mbeya. Over the next two years, the students (12 male and 13 female) will complete bi-weekly after-school English classes conducted by Tanzania English Language Teachers’ Association (TELTA – Mbeya). The U.S. Embassy supports five additional Access classes throughout Tanzania – in Mwanza, Tanga, Lindi, Pemba and Unguja.

During the inaugural ceremony, Regional English Language Officer George M. Chinnery described the program’s role in the students’ academic and professional success and challenged the Access Program students to dream big. “Through your dedication to and active participation over next two years, you will see that you will go far beyond what you are imagining today. The work that you do in your Access program today will undoubtedly lead to future success in your preparation for higher education.”

The Access Program provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants the English skills that can lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States. Since its inception in 2004, more than 350 students in Tanzania and 150,000 students in over 85 countries have participated in the program.