Pakistani students learn English with United States’ support

Islamabad, May 17, 2013 (PPI-OT): Pakistani students who are learning English through the US-sponsored English Access Micro scholarship Program and their teachers met today with U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Peter Brennan. In the coming weeks, 25 students and 25 teachers will travel to the United States for a three-week exchange program funded by the U.S. Embassy.

The students – who come from Bahawalpur, D.G. Khan, Lodhran, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Malakand, Peshawar, Khaplu, and Skardu – came together to be briefed about their trip to the United States.

“Before I got a scholarship for Access, I had no confidence speaking English. But now I am able to speak English,” said Iqra, an enthusiastic Access student. “We do a lot of activities in class, and we also do community service projects together. I am very excited to go to America and meet people and see how things are over there.”

“English has become the common language of business and education throughout the world. We operate the world’s biggest English Access program here in Pakistan because we know how important these skills are to Pakistan’s economic future,” said Mr. Brennan. “We are so pleased to play a role in helping smart and motivated Pakistani students learn skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

The U.S. operates the world’s largest English Access Microscholarship Program in Pakistan, teaching English to 5,000 14- to 18-year old students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The students learn English by participating in after-school classes and intensive summer learning activities, leading to better jobs and educational opportunities. Since its inception in 2004, over 95,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program.

The English Access Microscholarship Program is one component of the comprehensive U.S. education assistance program for Pakistan, which includes operating the world’s highest-funded Fulbright exchange program; building or rehabilitating more than 850 schools; and establishing Centers for Advanced Study at three Pakistani universities to focus on applied research in energy, agriculture and water. For more information about U.S. initiatives to teach English worldwide, including access to materials for teachers and students, see http://americanenglish.state.gov. To learn more about U.S. education initiatives in Pakistan, see: http://goo.gl/auHXF.

For more information, contact:
Alberto Rodriguez
Spokesman
Information Office Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Cell: +92300 501 2640
Tel: +9251-208 0000
Fax: +9251-227 8607
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov