The English Access Microscholarship Program

The English Access Microscholarship Program is an international project that was created by the U.S Department of State aimed at helping teens (13–20 years-old) from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to have better opportunities in employment, education, and life in general. Access promotes skills and knowledge in the English language, as well as giving students the ability to compete and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States.

Each student receives 128 hours of instructions per year. It consists of 4 hours per week, for a total of 32 weeks, plus 72 hours of intensive two-week summer program each year. Approximately 95,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program since its founding in 2004.

Objectives

The principal objective of Access is to change the life of the students, improving their social skills and leadership. It develops social awareness about the country's problems, and how they can solve them as well. Although learning a new language can be difficult, Access tries to improve the system of learning and makes it part of the student's life, not as an obligation.

Access seeks to help disadvantaged teens to improve their English language skills. To achieve this, the program is free of charge to participating students. Furthermore, materials (books, paper, markers, etc.) are provided by the American Embassy.

Requirements

To apply to this scholarship, the students must live outside of the United States and be between the ages of 13 and 20.

Access in Guatemala

The program - which takes place in Guatemala from 2010 - offered on the 2013 total of 700 UN paragraph take two years of studies A scholarships through three partners : the Guatemalan-American Institute ( IGA), the Universidad del Valle - Altiplano and Association Ajb ' atz ' Enlace Quiché. The scholarship includes the English course, study materials and cultural activities. Partners choose the fellows According Facilities stringent requirements.

Student Access Program also developed an appreciation for the culture of the United States, increasing their ability to participate successfully in paragraph socio-economic development of country do, and gain the ability to compete and participate in exchange programs in the United States.

Since it was established in 2004, approximately 95,000 students in over 85 countries have participated in the Access Program .

About Access Program

The Access programs have a duration of two years, during which most students reach a level Intermediate English through classes after school (between four and five hours a week) and intensive courses during school holidays. Students also learn and participate in activities on the culture of the United States, personal development (goal setting, how to write a resume, how to do a job interview, how apply for a scholarship), and service learning. Currently, the Access program in Guatemala has 2,100 students; 750 students are starting their second year and 543 students in the program are starting 2014. The Embassy also supports a "pilot" program in several of the most prominent places for students interested in becoming teachers. This program of ten hours per week helps alumni of Access to reach an advanced level of English and learn basic skills pedagogy, and includes a practical teaching for students. The pilot program was tested by the IGA in Coban 2012 and spread to the cities of Quetzaltenango and Guatemala in 2013. In 2014, 80 students will participate in the pilot in the city of Guatemala, Coban, Quetzaltenango, and Ipala plan.

Successful Stories

With the assistance of the Embassy, supported by their teachers, and their own initiative five alumni of the program have Access Walton won the scholarships, which cover all expenses for a degree in the United States. Other alumni Access have gained complete to study in Guatemala and other countries in Central America scholarships. Many alumni Access work in call centers and as English teachers, others at the university level; three participants in the plan Coban driver have been hired by the IGA such as teachers. Others have participated in the Youth program Embassy Ambassadors representing Guatemala in the United States. Access alumni participate in a variety of community service activities, which including teaching English to others.

We hope that in a few years the alumni compete Access Fulbright Scholarship program, which requires English skills, study for a master's or a doctorate in the United States.

Looking Forward

The US Embassy in Guatemala thanks the IGA, the University of Valle del Altiplano, and Quiche for Link their hard work in implementing the program, and a special thanks to the teachers of Access. Teachers Access is more than teachers are coaches, mentors, and friends for their students, and they are what make great differences in the lives of students in Access.

References

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