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Updating the Skills of English-Language Teachers in Cameroon

Regional English Language Officer (RELO) Ruth Petzold visited English-language centers and conducted English-language teaching workshops in three of Cameroon’s ten provinces, from March 2 – 9, 2007. Her program was hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé.

The English-language centers visited by Ruth Petzold include the American Language Centers in Yaounde and Douala; and state-owned linguistic centers in Yaounde, Douala and Buea. At each of the centers, Ruth Petzold had productive discussions with administrative and teaching staff to assess their training and pedagogic material needs. In order to encourage in-service training, Ms. Petzold equally presented a copy of the Office of Broadcast Services (OBS) teacher-training video “Shaping the Way We Teach English” to each of the institutions.

The hands-on training sessions in Douala, Yaounde and Buea covered a broad range of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) methodology issues, including English-language testing, maximizing the use of time English-language class time, teaching listening and speaking skills, and teaching English in large classes.

More than five hundred English-language teachers and teacher-trainees as well as national and provincial pedagogic inspectors of English participated directly in the workshops. They were all impressed by Ms. Petzold’s mastery of English-language teaching pedagogy and practices, her sound knowledge of the African teaching context as well as her outstanding communicative skills.

According to participants, the workshops were exceptionally informative. “We feel privileged to have been chosen to participate in this program,” stated one participant. Another added: “There is a lot we are taking back to our classes.” Considering participants’ enthusiasm and their eagerness to share the knowledge acquired, the program will certainly have a great multiplier effect. Equally important to participants, especially to provincial and national pedagogic inspectors of English, was the opportunity to observe the RELO’s teacher-development practices, from how the hand-outs are designed to how workshops are actually conducted.  Members of the Cameroon English Language and Literature Teachers Association (CAMELTA) requested and obtained Ms. Petzold’s permission to use her hand-outs to organize similar training sessions in the other provinces of Cameroon.

While receiving Ruth Petzold in his office, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Secondary Education expressed the government’s appreciation for this “invaluable support to Cameroon’s educational system.”

The workshops were organized in partnership with CAMELTA and the American Language Center in Douala.

Based at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, the Regional English Language Officer covers fifteen West and Central African countries.  The RELO is part of State Department’s Office of English Language Programs, which provides professional teacher training programs worldwide to promote understanding of American language, society, culture, values and policies. (photo gallery)