February 21-22, 2014, the U. S. Embassy partnered with the Burkina English Teachers Association (BETA) to organize a 2-day professional development workshop for 46 teachers of the North Central region of Burkina Faso. U. S. Embassy English Program Specialist Lynn Hanson Ouédraogo and Fulbright Exchange Alumnus Dramane Gnessi trained teachers in Kaya on current English language teaching methodologies. Teachers received hands-on practice in designing lessons and also received pedagogical materials. The workshop included a meeting to launch the regional branch of BETA in the North Central region.
This workshop allowed the U. S. Embassy to share English teaching methods and resources with regional teachers in Kaya, 55% of whom have not had any prior formal pedagogical training. Not only did the workshop provide effective teaching strategies, but organizing teachers to create a local chapter of the national teachers association gave them additional empowerment to grow professionally and advocate for English teaching in their region and country. The 46 teachers trained, coming from 16 different communities, teach approximately 14,200 secondary students. The potential impact on English learners in this region could be substantial.
