AMIDEAST, the largest American provider of English language training in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has partnered with World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute—a U.S.-based global leader in teacher education—to launch a unique certificate program for teachers of English. Representing over 100 years’ experience in education, the two prestigious nonprofit organizations have joined forces to meet the growing demand in the Arab world for quality training in English language teaching and provide current and future teachers the first such American-accredited program available throughout the region.

AMIDEAST, Citi Foundation Offer Women’s Entrepreneurship Training in Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and the U.A.E.

 In partnership with Citi Foundation—Citi’s philanthropic arm, AMIDEAST is implementing the new Arab Women’s Entrepreneurship Project (AWEP) initiative to provide 80 women entrepreneurs from underserved backgrounds with training and support that will help them start a new business or expand an existing one. AWEP will help women in Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UAE make tangible advances in their own economic productivity and potential. 

Program Summary

The Taghyeer program works with non-elite, socioeconomically disadvantaged school children in Mokattam, one of the poorest areas of Cairo, in ways that will improve their prospects for future educational and employment opportunities, while helping them to contribute meaningfully to their community. For the participating school children, the Taghyeer program represents an opportunity to improve their English language and other communication skills; develop an appreciation of Egyptian culture and heritage; and become empowered to feel they can make a difference. AMIDEAST partnered with the Mohamed Shafik Gabr Foundation for Social Development to pilot the program for 40 students in summer 2009.

Main Goals

• Provide a meaningful and comprehensive skills training program lasting two years that strengthens English language proficiency, develops competencies in areas like public speaking, enriches through exposure to Egypt’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, and empowers through activities that raise awareness of service to community

• Expand the program’s impact through a teacher training program targeting both English language teachers and core curriculum teachers that develops the skills and abilities of school teachers in ways that improve their performance and effectiveness, thereby benefiting a much broader spectrum of students beyond those enrolled in Taghyeer

Program Summary

Camp Discovery provides an enriching, happy summer camp experience for mainly at-risk youth from refugee camps in Gaza and the West Bank. Piloted in 2007, it has been expanded in size and duration in the following summers, reaching more than 1,650 children ages 8-14 within its first four years. Camp activities focus on English language training in a fun-filled, learner-centered environment, which is carried over and applied in complementary modules focused on artistic expression and scientific discovery, along with community service and team-building activities, as well as leadership development opportunities. The summer camps are funded by the U.S.

AMIDEAST is the leading American provider of English language training (ELT) in the Middle East and North Africa. Our English language training centers are administered by seasoned professionals and courses are taught by professionally-trained native and near-native speakers of American English.

Students learn practical everyday English that they can use in real-life situations such as at work or school. AMIDEAST's small classes, customized instruction, and comprehensive learning resources help students improve their English language skills quickly and effectively. Central to AMIDEAST’s approach to language teaching and teacher training is the integration of critical thinking and technology skills inside and outside the classroom.

AMIDEAST organizes English classes for adults, teens and young learners.

Program Summary

Under a new partnership with Cisco Systems, Inc., AMIDEAST training centers in three countries — Lebanon, Oman and Morocco — offer the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute’s cutting-edge entrepreneurship training curriculum to aspiring entrepreneurs. Supported by an open source, web, and media-enabled platform the training enables participants to network with fellow entrepreneurs locally, regionally and globally.

The Cisco Entrepreneur Institute training centers offer workshops on how to start, grow, and IT-enable a business. During in-class workshop sessions, local business leaders share practical advice and create valuable networking opportunities. The addition of online workshop materials, multiple rich media resources, web-based simulations, and printed participant guides results in a unique and effective mix of tools to empower entrepreneurs. Participants in Institute workshops receive continuous support and stay connected through an ongoing series of activities, including power breakfasts, networking tools and events, and a mentorship program.

The workshop curriculum is made up of media-rich, business-relevant content from a variety of sources including leading U.S. business schools at Cornell and Stanford Universities and My Own Business, Inc. 

Main Goals

The mission of the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute is to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit, increase jobs, and help develop and sustain economic growth throughout the world. It provides:

AMIDEAST trains English teachers and provides technical assistance and professional development resources to teachers engaged in primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions in the region.  Our teacher training programs focus on the development of student-centered teaching methods and strategies for emphasizing critical thinking skills in the learning process.

AMIDEAST works with local institutions and education ministries to provide English language based training in communications skills, as well as mathematics and science, to help prepare students for success at the next level.  Most of these students are seeking to attend higher education institutions in the region or in the United States.

Program experience in this area includes:

University Preparatory Program (UPP)

In partnership with the King Faisal Foundation, AMIDEAST designed the UPP, a one-year program strong in science and mathematics that is designed to prepare promising Saudi high school graduates to gain entry to Alfaisal University and top higher educational institutions worldwide. Located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the program was launched in September 2007.  AMIDEAST has been involved in curriculum development, teacher recruitment, and overall management of the program.

English Language Support Program, King Faisal School (KFS)

AMIDEAST was contracted by the King Faisal School (KFS), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to provide English language assessment, teacher training, and teacher recruitment services supporting the school’s transition to an International Baccalaureate World School. In addition, AMIDEAST developed and delivered an English language enrichment program for students struggling with the demands of the English-medium education at KFS.