The Organization of American States (OAS), through its Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI), will train 300 teachers in Central America and the Dominican Republic in English as a Second Language (ESL). This initiative is part of the OAS Language Cooperation Program, aimed at enhancing educators' pedagogical skills and improving educational quality in the region.
The virtual launch of the program was attended by the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. During the event, the importance of bilingualism for regional integration and socioeconomic development was highlighted. The OAS/SEDI promotes learning the four official languages of the organization (Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese) to boost global competitiveness and foster greater social inclusion. Kim Osborne, Executive Secretary for Integral Development (SEDI), emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating: "Education is undoubtedly one of the pillars that sustains the progress of our societies, and the continuous training of our educators is key to ensuring quality teaching."
The Permanent Missions of the participating countries underscored the program's relevance. Costa Rica's Ambassador, Alejandra Solano Cabalceta, emphasized that "bilingualism in Costa Rica's public education system has been identified as a national priority, highlighting the importance of universalizing both bilingualism and multilingualism among students." El Salvador's Ambassador, Wendy Acevedo Castillo, stressed the fundamental role of language in "fostering the ability to communicate in different languages, facilitating mutual understanding, and building bridges between our cultures."
Similarly, Guatemala's Ambassador, Claudia Escobar, stated that "learning a second language opens doors to new opportunities, bridges communication gaps, and fosters cooperation among our nations." Along the same lines, Honduras' Ambassador, Carlos Roberto Quesada López, highlighted the previous achievements of the Language Cooperation Program and congratulated OAS/SEDI for continuing this initiative. "The program has been a resounding success, with over 200 students graduated and numerous certified teachers. Its expansion reinforces the importance of this training for the future of education in the region." In her remarks, Panama's Ambassador, Ana Irene Delgado, emphasized the importance of this initiative in ensuring that educators have the necessary tools to train future generations and contribute to sustainable development and regional integration.
The representatives also stressed that mastering a second language facilitates cooperation between countries, fosters trade, improves labor mobility, and promotes mutual understanding among diverse communities. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of continuous teacher training as a key factor in ensuring quality education and preparing future generations for the challenges of an increasingly globalized world.
