A British Council delegation visits Cuba to share experience of teaching English

Meetings promoted by a delegation from the British Council between 14 and 18 September focused on experiences in teaching a universal language such as English.

The delegation consisted of Michael Connolly, Global Director of the English Programme, Graham Stanley, Regional Director for the Americas of the English Programme, Minerva Rodríguez, Director of the British Council in Cuba, and Yailet Landrove, Director of Arts and English Projects.

The meetings were also attended by prominent Cuban professionals involved in the English language education programme in Cuba.

The visitors met with specialists from the Ministries of Education and Higher Education. They also met with professors from the Enrique José Varona University of Pedagogical Sciences (UCPEJV) and the University of Informatics Sciences (UCI). The dialogue on 14 September was also attended by representatives of the Association of Cuban Pedagogues – English Language Specialists (APC-ELI).

«It was very gratifying for them to learn about the integration of ministries, universities and teachers’ associations in the wider collaboration with the British Council, as they recognise that this is an aspiration of the organisation that is difficult to achieve in other contexts,» said Isora Enríquez, Professor at the UCPEJV, in an exclusive interview with Radio Enciclopedia.

The British Council delegation visited a number of educational institutions to mark the 64th anniversary of the symbolic handover of the Columbia Barracks to the Ministry of Education (MINED) and the designation of this vast area as Ciudad Escolar Libertad.

«Because of its pedagogical leadership in teacher training, the importance of the strategic alliance with UCPEJV was confirmed. This was evidenced by interacting with students, teachers and children from Ciudad Libertad. By describing their school in English and inviting them to visit the centre in a foreign language, the special education students showed that progress is being made in inclusive education,» said Enríquez.

The delegation also visited the University of Cienfuegos and the Technical Department of the MINED.

The 5 de Septiembre newspaper later reported that as part of the British Council’s English for Development initiative in Cuba, the Conrado Benítez García Teaching Centre at the Carlos Rafael Rodríguez University of Cienfuegos was the scene of an enriching meeting between teachers and students.

Minerva Rodríguez, Country Director of the British Council, highlighted the importance of this visit to Cienfuegos. She acknowledged the University’s leading role in the Academic Committee of the initiative, which aims to promote the teaching and improvement of the English language at different levels of education.

This event highlighted the excellent link and cooperation between the University of Cienfuegos and the Province regarding English language training for English-speaking teachers. This cooperation extends to the MES and MINED, as well as to the Provincial Education Authority and the Municipal English Teachers. The publication concluded.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez