FOCUS GROUP TO STAFFDEL CHAKA: "LEARNING ENGLISH

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000309 SIPDIS CODEL H PASS STATE PASS TO H, AF/E, AF/EX, AF/PD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DJ KPAO OREP OTRA PREL PGOV PPD SUBJECT: FOCUS GROUP TO STAFFDEL CHAKA: "LEARNING ENGLISH HAS BECOME A NECESSITY IN DJIBOUTI." REF: A. DJIBOUTI 304 ¶B. DJIBOUTI 291 ¶C. DJIBOUTI 235 ¶D. DJIBOUTI 180 ¶E. DJIBOUTI 97 ¶F. DJIBOUTI 32 ¶G. 04DJIBOUTI 1632 ¶H. 04DJIBOUTI 1507 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: About 40 English students and teachers attended a focus group with Staffdel Chaka on April 1. The Djiboutians said that learning English is now an economic necessity in Djibouti, and requested U.S. help in the form of a library, teaching materials, training workshops and an American school. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) On April 1, Malik Chaka and Pearl Alice Marsh attended a focus group at the English Teacher's Association of Djibouti (ETAD),which was arranged by the Embassy as part of its Staffdel program. About 40 teachers and students, aged 17-40, attended. The PAO opened the session by asking the group what their experience has been thus far with the Americans in country and what they would like the American government to know about Djibouti. Participants were positive about the American presence in Djibouti, although they have some fears that CJTF-HOA might just "pick up and leave one day." They congratulated the Embassy on its outreach programs to English language teachers, whom one called "the bridge between America and the students." They added, however, that additional help is needed. ¶3. (U) One student pointed out that it is only in the last five years that Djiboutians have realized the importance of English to communicate with their regional neighbors, compete in the global economy and find local employment. English teachers, he said, are often poorly trained and are using extremely outdated curriculums due to the high cost of books in the country. (NOTE: New Concept English, 1967, is the most widely used curriculum here because of its availability and affordablity. Its methods are outdated and the text carries little relevance for English learners today. END NOTE). Although Embassy conversation groups are helping a small percentage of students, access to English language reading and listening materials and further opportunities to practice oral skills are vital, one teacher said. ¶4. (U) Several participants requested that the U.S. Embassy establish a library or American Center with a reading room and listening center. This is a proposal that has been put forth by Post in the past in response to similar requests. (reftel F). Post continues to propose rental of an American center per reftel. For the long term, Washington may wish to consider retaining the existing Embassy compound as an American center when the Embassy moves to its new site in ¶2008. ¶5. (U) Several teachers requested additional training in the form of workshops (reftel G),correspondence courses, and regional conferences with other teachers of English as a second language. One requested the establishment of an American school, a request the Embassy has been hearing more frequently in recent months from various sources. ¶6. (U) Mr. Chaka asked whether the participants had considered establishing a network of Djiboutian expatriates abroad who could buy books and ship them back to Djibouti at a lower costs. Many said such a plan was impractical due to problems with the Djiboutian post office and the low incomes of most Djiboutians living in the U.S. and Canada. However, they said, they are taking some steps to improve their situation, including unifying private school curricula and lobbying for a government-issued certificate to verify achievement of a minimum level of English competence. RAGSDALE