ANTANANARIVO – Rigorous, modern methods for teaching English should also be interactive, communicative, and fun. That is the main lesson that thirty experienced or emerging teacher- trainers from Antananarivo learned through the U.S. Embassy’s American English Training-of-Trainers (AE TOT) workshop from September 2-4.

During the three-day training, participants explored the U.S. Department of State’s American English teaching and learning materials (AmericanEnglish.state.gov). This extensive library of free, copyright-free, downloaded resources have been developed by U.S. and international English teaching experts over three decades for use in low-tech, non-native English-speaking classrooms around the world. The American English materials, which include lesson plans, literature, audio books, video content, online courses, and printable games and activities, are designed to help teachers transform their English classrooms into interactive, communicative environments that stimulate student-centered, active, and effective learning.

Following the three-day seminar, each AE TOT participant will, in turn, lead workshops in their own school districts that show English teachers how to use the American English resources in their classrooms. In total, 250 English teachers will benefit from this project implemented by the non-profit association Lanja Omena Vokatra hAharitra (LOVA) through a grant from the U.S. Embassy.

Improving the teaching and learning of English in Madagascar is a major initiative of the U.S. Embassy, shaped by the belief that English, as the world’s most widely spoken language, can open a vast range of local and global opportunities for Malagasy students and professionals to pursue their studies and advance their careers. The AE TOT workshop builds upon the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen English education in Madagascar, particularly its collaboration with the Ministry of Education to update the lycée English curriculum and our programs to build the capacity of English clubs, as well as the long history of Peace Corps Volunteers teaching English in classrooms around the country, prior to the pandemic.

Press Release by the U.S. Embassy Antananarivo