| PLANETA.COM (DEC
17, 2007) - Instituto
Amigos del Sol announces the development of Oaxaca Amigos: Linking
Tourism and Learning English as a Foreign Language. Financial donations
are accepted on Fundable.
ABOUT THE TRAINING PROGRAM
English language training will be offered in 2008 in Teotitlán
del Valle to help the artisans offer a better service level
in the recovery phase of Oaxaca tourism that had received serious
setbacks during 2006. Tourism is well on its way back but rural
communities need capacity building to help locals make the most
of in-bound tourism.
Since many of the visitors from other countries have a limited
level of Spanish the need for English skills for rural tourism have
been identified as priority, yet most artisans and guides don´t
have the needed financial resources at present. Apart from achieving
a basic level of functional English competence the program includes
aspects of instilling natural and cultural awareness in their ecotourism
and rural tourism initiatives.
The format of the planned project is adapting the existing English
course of the well-respected local language school Instituto
Amigos del Sol (with more than ten years of experience in English
teaching in Oaxaca) for specific needs of those working in rural
tourism in Teotitlan and taking it to the village itself with experienced
English teacher and ecotourism advisor Gerhard Buttner as trainer
and teacher.
The funds collected will be used to pay the study fees of the students
and the teacher traveling expenses from Oaxaca City to be able to
hold the classes in the community itself for an initial 12-week
course of 5 hours per week.
OUTCOMES
Participants will receive personalized English instruction including
tips on interaction with visitors.
English classes will focus on practical usage as requested by artisans
and visitors.
Classes will be photographed and presented on Flickr.
Participants will be invited to contribute editorial suggestions
for updates to Planeta.com's Directory
of Teotitlan Weavers and Teotitlán
del Valle Guide
CONTACT INFO
Instituto
Amigos del Sol has two locations in Oaxaca City. Spanish language
classes are taught in front of Llano
Park, Pino Suárez #802. English and Spanish classes are
taught in San Felipe del Agua #322.
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