Algerian professors welcome ELI training course

For Djamila Khaldi, it was cooperative learning. For Dalila Zeghar, reflective teaching and the learner-centered approach. For Yasmine Boukhedimi, alternative methods of assessment.

Visiting Algerian professors, together with the Minister Consular of the Algerian Embassy, Nr. Abdurrahmane Benguerrah (center holding book), were the guests of State Representative David Ennis (second row, right) at the State Legislative Hall in Dover.

Each of the 13 senior faculty members from the University of Algiers the oldest and largest university in Algeria gained new insights into the teaching of English language and literature during the five-week teachertraining program held at ELI in March and April. They looked forward to applying their new knowledge to their own classrooms.

"It was very relevant to our experience," said Professor Faiza Bensemmane.

"It was the first time to see [current theories of language acquisition] being applied intelligently and economically, and in such a powerful way."

The three-year program the first of its kind between the English Language Institute and teachers from Algeria is funded through the U.S. Department of State North African Educational Partnership program. The goal of the State Department project is to support the modernization of both the Tunisian and Algerian economies by developing instruction in business management, public administration and related fields.

"We believe that one important way for third world countries to advance economically is to develop their English language capability," said ELI director Dr. Scott Stevens, adding that the focus of the three-year program will be on the teaching of English for business purposes.

The training program included workshops on teaching methodology taught by ELI's Susan Coakley, Dr. Barbara Gillette, Joe Matterer, Katharine Schneider, Dr. Scott Stevens and Grant Wolf. It also included classes on alternative methods of assessment led by Dr. Jorge Cubillos of the department of foreign languages and literature and seminars on the teaching of business English, conducted by ELI faculty Leslie Criston, James Slater and June Quigley.

In addition to these classes, participants joined in a panel discussion on "Issues of Women in Islam" as part of a women's studies class led by Dr. Suzanne Cherrin.

Afternoons and weekends provided opportunities for cultural visits to Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York. One of the highlights featured an invitation to Dover, Delaware's state capital, by state representative David Ennis. Participants attended a session of the House of Representatives, where they were introduced to legislators before the session began. They were joined by the minister consular of the Algerian Embassy, Mr. Abdurrahmane Benguerrah, who addressed the legislature, and later they met Governor Ruth Ann Minner.

"We are really surprised at how warm people are here," said Bensemmane. "We will miss Delaware." The group attended the annual international convention of TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) in Baltimore and concluded its training program by organizing a daylong conference in which they presented papers on topics introduced over the five weeks.

At the end of the three-year program which will include junior faculty members from the University of Algiers next year and English teachers from throughout Algeria in the third year participants will organize a national teacher training conference for English teachers in Algeria.