On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast social designed to promote learning English in Chile. Five of us volunteer teachers represented the English Opens Doors program. After a short bus ride, we were ushered into a large conference room where we sat at different tables. I sat with the ambassador of Denmark and a famous television news anchor in Chile. There were also a couple of people who were directly involved with teaching English in Chile.
After breakfast, there was a brief video illustrating the increasing importance of English in the modern, globalized world. Following, there were a couple speeches, one of which was a presentation about Mingoville, a web-based game designed for children to learn English. Finally, Michelle Bachelet spoke about the importance of Chileans learning English, even referencing Obama’s “Yes We Can” slogan to illustrate her point. That was the only English she spoke, hah!
I followed La Presidenta Michelle Bachelet and her posse out, but was unable to collect a personal photograph. However, I did have the opportunity to meet the US Ambassador of Chile, Paul Simons, and the Program Director of English Opens Doors, Rodrigo Fabrega. I should be able to find a photo of myself with these gents eventually. There were also a number of middle-school aged Chilean students who were all excellent English speakers. The five of us lucky volunteers took photos and rode the bus to and from the conference with them. Very cool.
outside of conference building
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- outside of conference building
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- view of conference building
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- entrance
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- michelle bachelet
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- michelle bachelet
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- michelle bachele (from my table)
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- students presenting Bachelet with chilehablaingles wristband
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- some chilean students
