| Country Guatemala
City Quetzaltenango (Xela)
Host Institution Instituto Guatemalteco Americano
Project Description The Instituto Guatemalteco Americano (the US-Guatemala binational center known as IGA) is one of the most well respected educational and cultural institutions in Guatemala. IGA employs more than seventy teachers to teach English to thousands of students of all ages in Guatemala City and in its satellite institute located in (known locally as Xela). In addition, IGA is considered the primary source of continuing education training for English teachers throughout Guatemala. Each year IGA organizes the National Teachers’ Conference (NTC), which provides teacher training and Teacher Training Certificate (TTC) workshops to over 900 ESL teachers and soon-to-be educators. The Ministry of Education recognizes both the NTC and the TTC as fulfilling the national requirement for continuing education training and for certification of English teachers. IGA is in the process of expanding and strengthening the English language curriculum and courses offerings at its satellite institute in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala's second largest city. Xela is the home to the satellite campuses of numerous national universities and has a college town atmosphere that appeals to academically minded individuals from Guatemala and throughout the world. Most of the students who study in Xela commute from surrounding towns each day and return home each night to share newly acquired knowledge with their families and neighbors. IGA established a presence in Xela several years ago, but over the last two years the institute's director (along with the support by the Embassy) has focused attention and resources on transforming IGA-Xela into the leading English language institution in the Western portion of the country. Demand for English language classes in Xela is on the rise as businesses, students and professionals begin to recognize the need for English and are actively searching for effective programs. [Click here to view full description]
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