Modern American Institute welcomed to Aden [Archives:2002/30/Interview]

This is an interview conducted with the Director of Courses, Marie Hurlburt, at the Modern American Language Institute (MALI), which has recently opened a new school in Aden. She is an American who came to Yemen as an English Teaching Fellow with a program sponsored by the US State Department.
The program sends qualified teachers around the world. She has MA degree in Education and TESL. She has been in Yemen for almost three years and is married to a Yemeni.
YT: Could you give us a brief history about the MALI English Language Institute?
A: MALI is owned and managed by Mazen Loqman, was established in 1995 and has evolved to be one of the leading ESL and Arabic centers in Yemen. Part of the proud heritage of the Loqman family and not widely known about, is that the Loqmans published the first English-language newspaper in the Arabian Peninsula called the Aden Chronicles in the 1930s. MALI was founded in Sanaa and there remains its head office, however, recently it has opened a new school in Aden which is currently holding classes for over 125 government-sponsored students with more classes scheduled to begin shortly. We also have recently opened to general public for enrollment with classes beginning September 27th.
YT: What benefit will the students receive from your institute?
A: Most people around the world, including Yemen population, agree that the key to the future, in regard to development, employment, and international economic relationships is the ability to communicate well in English. So good English has become not only the vital tool but a good investment. It is important for students of English to have as many native speaking teachers as possible. MALI is committed to recruiting from English speaking countries, particularly from the US, as many qualified, native-born Americans as possible to teach at MALI. We expect to have more than seven new American teachers by September, which will add to the team of three American teachers we already have. The management is committed to continue recruiting from America, Canada and Briton as the schools enrollment demands increase. We will also employ well-experienced Yemeni teachers to teach the lowest levels where their expertise in grammar will be utilized.
YT: What certificates will you issue?
A: The course offerings range from the beginning level through advanced level classes. The course will be completed after 8 consecutive weeks. We use the New Interchange Series which is one of the most popular in the field and in my opinion, one of the best series currently offered anywhere. As the students complete each book, they complete a level. This makes our program very affordable for the average Yemeni student. At each level the student receives a certificate stating he/she has successfully completed the eight – week course. Because we are an officially acknowledged institute, the certificates are accepted readily in the business and scholastic sectors.
YT: What is your opinion of English Language schools in Yemen?
A: Like anywhere else there are good and bad English institutes. I think any institute that doesnt have the best interest of the student at the core of its mandate will soon falter in its enrollment. Yemenis are pretty astute and not easily fooled, they know they are getting what they pay for and what the motives are for the schools existence. MALI is owned by a Yemeni, whose family roots are deep and long in this country, and he is committed to excellence in the program offered at Mali as well as offering affordable prices. That is one of the main reasons I chose to become affiliated with MALI.
YT: How do you evaluate the standards in the field of education particularly as it relates to English, in Yemen?
A:When I was at Fellow in1999-2000, in Yemen, I had the opportunity to travel to most major cities and meet with educators involved at all levels of education. I worked in affiliation with Ministry of Education as well. I met with inspectors and I can say that I was impressed with most of the people I met. They were driven with their desire to improve the quality of education in their area. They were also mindful that English was very important if the population was going to meet the demands in the future development of Yemen. I believe that good language institutes currently play a strong role in meeting the needs of population. They help strengthen the English skills of students wanting to major in English programs at the university level and can prepare students to pass required tests when they want to study abroad. As Aden continues to grow and develop, with an emphasis on the free zone, the need for good English skills will continue to be a requirement for employment. So Yemen needs good English programs to meet not todays demands but the demands of the future.
YT: Do you want to add anything to this interview?
A:I would like just to say that my time here in Yemen has been a delight. My tenure at MALI has been wonderful. Yemeni students are some of the best I have ever taught. I have recently accepted a Senior English Teaching/Training Fellowship, with the same program sponsored by the US State Department that I came here with in 1999. I will be leaving for Damascus for a one year assignment. I will miss all my Yemeni friends and students. I have enjoyed my time here very much and the wonderful thing is that Mazen, the owner/manager of MALI has informed me that I have a job here anytime I want to come back. He knows I have mixed feelings about a country I have grown to love because of its wonderful, friendly, good-natured people. I feel blessed that I will take a part of Yemen with me as my Yemeni husband accompanies me in my journey.



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