YALI celebrates graduation, inaugurates new classes [Archives:2005/843/Local News]

SANA'A, May 12- Yemen American Language Institute (YALI) celebrated a graduation ceremony to the dedication of opening of new classrooms. U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Thomas Krajeski took part in the ceremony which was also attended by families of the graduates and scores of student spectators studying at YALI.

In his remarks at the dedication, Ambassador Krajeski underscored the importance of YALI “in promoting mutual understanding of each other's cultures and religions and each other's dreams and aspirations.”

From the one room schoolhouse that YALI started 30 years ago in 1975, today's YALI has turned into a 44-classroom world-class institute, with a 50-station computer lab, and a full-service Multi -Media Lab with computers, Internet, TV/VCR's and audiotape recorders, aiming to provide quality language education for the betterment of the students it serves. Classroom capacity ranges from 12 to 22 students.

Enrollment at YALI has continued to rise rather dramatically over the last four years. Form an average of about 850 students prior to 2001, enrollment at YALI reached more than 2,500 students this term. With the inauguration of the new classrooms , YALI will now be able to accommodate up to 3,000 students per term.

YALI's overall mission is to further promote understanding of the United States and its culture and people and enhance English language proficiency among Yemenis.

YALI's student population is primarily Yemeni, mostly 18 years old and up, with a small number of students from 15-17. The average student is 20-30 years old .during summers, a separate “teen” program is implemented for ages 10-17.

Approximately 50-60% of the students are professionals who have full time jobs and attend YALI for 2 hours per day; another 30-40% are full time university students who attend YALI classes after university classes; and the remaining students are unemployed, including housewives and those either seeking work or undergoing the requisite year's wait between secondary school graduation and university matriculation.
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