Embassy Initiatives Promote Reading and English Language Learning
Students in Tiassalé using computers donated by the U.S. Embassy to practice English (Dpt of State))
As part of the U.S. Embassy’s efforts to promote reading and support English language learning in Cote d’Ivoire, an Embassy team visited four cities that host U.S. Government-supported initiatives. The December 10-13 trip included stops in Tiassalé, Yamoussoukro, Daloa and Odienné. The team included Regional Security Officer Jeff Lischke, Regional Information Resource Officer Stephen Perry, who is based in Accra, Ghana, and Information Officer Grant Phillipp.
The highlight of the trip was the ceremony to collect the Embassy’s Rotating Library at the Lycée Moderne in Odienné, in northwestern Cote d’Ivoire. This collection of 500 books and a computer was delivered to the Regional Director of National Education (DREN) in May, 2012 for use by students and teachers in the Kabadougou region. During the ceremony the students thanked the Embassy for bringing the Rotating Library to Odienné and demonstrated their knowledge through a series of skits, songs, poems and quizzes. At the conclusion of the ceremony IO Grant Phillipp donated two computers for use by English teachers and students and a selection of books and pamphlets.
In Daloa IRO Steve Perry visited the new webinar center for English language teaching and learning at Lycée Antoine Gauze that was donated by the Embassy. He also toured the American Shelf at the DREN, a collection of books and pamphlets provided by the Embassy for use by teachers and students in Daloa.
The Embassy team also delivered new books to the American Corners in Tiassalé and Yamoussoukro and inspected new furniture, air conditioners and other upgrades paid for by the U.S. Government.