US Embassy teaches rural students English

On 9 June US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis congratulated students at the closing ceremony of the English language Access program at the John De Silva Theater in Colombo. Access is a two year micro-scholarship program sponsored by the US Embassy that teaches English to rural 14-18 year old students through after-school and weekend classes at centres located across Sri Lanka.

At the certificate awarding ceremony for 147 students and six teachers, Ambassador Butenis thanked the Academy of Professional Studies for partnering with the Embassy to conduct the program. The Ambassador told students, “The Access scholarships that you received were the US Government’s way to support improvement in your English language skills,” and highlighted how Access helps students secure better jobs as, “international commerce is now largely done in English.”

Since the introduction of the Access program in 2005, the US Embassy has taught English to over 1,000 students in rural communities. Access currently teaches 522 students in 15 centres around Sri Lanka.

In addition, six students and a teacher from Access centres participated in a youth leadership program in the United States that taught them how to actively engage in community development activities.