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Engineer makes English for Everyone

Ahmed English 1

YES students are often really excited to improve their English skills in the US. But what happens when they go back home and discover that not everyone in their home community was lucky enough to have the same access to English language courses?

During his exchange year in the U.S. from 2015 - 2016, Ahmad Hamadneh participated in the Workshop for Youth Leaders in English Teaching (WYLET) program, which gave him an opportunity to grow his passion for teaching English and equipped him with the right tools to do so. “The English workshop I attended during my exchange year in the U.S. gave me a motive to start a free English course for youth, it also had a great effect on my teaching methods and materials that keep students engaged and well informed.”

Ahmad realized that the people in his hometown in the West Bank care about English education and are interested in developing their kids’ English language skills, but many families are not able to afford courses at language teaching centers. So Ahmed put his WYLET skills to use and started his own free English course in his hometown, Asera Al-Shamalyia (near Nablus city) for youth between the ages of 13 and 15 with the help of the Red Crescent Society. 

Ahmed English 2

There was a huge turnout at the registration; around 60 students enrolled in the courses that started on July 29, 2018. Students are split in two levels, and each level attends one and a half hour classes three times per week. At the end of the course, students will make presentations and introductions as part of their English public speaking skills. So far the kids have shown great improvement in their speaking, listening, and writing skills. The courses are being held at the Red Crescent Society in Asera Al-Shamalyia, and will continue until the end of September.

And all this from an engineer! Ahmad is a sophomore at Al Najah National University majoring in mechatronics, and he plans to pursue a master’s degree in engineering in the future. His passion for English and teaching pushes him to develop his teaching skills and starting his own English teaching institute in the future. Ahmed hopes he will be able to combine both passions in his future career goals. 

Ahmed Hamadneh (YES 2015 - 2016, West Bank, hosted by PAX in Orange, MA)


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