Consulate News
Introductory English Course is launched in Guayaquil
March, 2009
The local municipal government of Guayaquil and Fundacion Ecuador recently aired the 10th educational TV course produced by Aprendamos, “HELLO! Introductory English Course”, in collaboration with the English Language Fellow, who was responsible for developing textbook content, recording her voice for the CD and appearing in each TV episode. She is also the tutor for the course, offering every participant the opportunity to call her with questions, come see her for an in-person consultation, and receive trainings at local government-run community centers in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
This is a unique course, as the English taught is specific to the city of Guayaquil and features ways to explain Ecuadorian food and handicrafts in English. More than 4,600 people registered during the first two days. This is also the first time in its history that Aprendamos is offering a CD with the coursebook. While 40,000 copies of the book, CD, and dictionary were printed for free distribution, an estimated 460,000 people follow the course on TV when it broadcasts Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am and repeats Saturdays and Sundays at 7 am on 8 channels nationwide. The mayor of Guayaquil, Jaime Nebot, officially launched the course during a special ceremony attended by local media, directors of Fundación Ecuador, and several local authorities.