Opening Ceremony Speech
XXVI National Conference for Teachers of English
“Le@rning: Opening Minds with a New Set of Keys”
Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano - January 27, 2009
(draft remarks)
His Excellency, Leonardo Garnier, Minister of Public Education, Mr. Scott Simpson, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul of the Embassy of the United Kingdom, Mr. Leonard Beaulne, Political Counselor of the Embassy of Canada, Karl Schmack, Executive Director of the Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano, Conference Hosts, Guest Speakers, and Teachers of English:
Thank you, Karl. I am pleased and honored to be with you for the inauguration of the twenty-sixth annual National Conference for Teachers of English. It is fitting that here, at the Bi-national Center, I deliver my first public remarks as Ambassador of the United States to Costa Rica, to demonstrate the strong ties and long standing friendship between our countries.
English language teachers have one of the most important jobs in the country. President Arias and the Ministry of Education are committed to the National English Plan, and our Embassy continues to support this vital effort. Last year, the Embassy, through the Department of State and our Regional English Language Officer based in Mexico City, provided training for teachers, offered scholarships, workshops, courses, and conferences which totaled over $235,000. The Embassy will continue to support English programs to the maximum extent possible.
I have discovered firsthand that mastering another language is not easy. I therefore have an even greater appreciation for the work that you do, trying to help the people of Costa Rica and the region learn English.
So I applaud you as teachers. What you have done and will continue to do is vitally important. When a person learns English as a second language, it enables them to enjoy greater employment opportunities, make a better life for themselves and their families, access infinite information available on the Internet, and grow personally and professionally. This enrichment, in turn, helps their communities and their countries prosper.
Thank you Centro Cultural for hosting this very important event and your work in English language teaching. Your effort on behalf of our Access scholarship recipients, sponsored by the Embassy, has been extraordinary. We look forward to the next 100 students joining your classrooms around the country.
Congratulations to the organizers of the conference, who have worked throughout the past year to organize this important event, particularly to the dedicated staff at the Centro Cultural, the Ministry of Public Education, and our Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Office. We share a common goal of improving the teaching and learning of English, and I am sure you will benefit from the exchange of ideas and information during this conference.
On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I wish you all a very successful and enjoyable conference.
Thank you.
Share
|
Speeches