The U.S. Embassy works closely with many Malian organizations to promote and strengthen the teaching of English throughout the country through a variety of methods:
Conversation Tables
The Public Affairs Section hosts an English language conversation table each Thursday at the American Center located at the U.S. Embassy from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participation is free of charge and there is no need to sign up in advance. The conversation tables provide Malians an opportunity to interact with native English speakers and discuss various topics of interest. The skill levels of participants vary.
English Clubs
The Embassy cooperates closely with many of Bamako’s English Language Club.
Movie Days
Each Monday the Public Affairs Section shows an English-language film in the America Center located at the U.S. Embassy from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participation is free of charge and there is no need to sign up in advance.
Regional English Language Officer
The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is responsible for the cultural and educational exchange programs that support strategic State Department policies and goals. Its
Office of English Language Programs serves as a catalyst for enduring, positive change via its active commitment to high quality education, access to information, and effective global dialogue. English Language Officers work with U.S. embassies to develop long-term English language programming strategic plans. English Language Officers develop sustained partnerships with English language professionals, encourage their membership in a mutually supportive global network, support their professional growth, and enhance their ability to influence positively the lives of their students. Through the programs that English Language Officers initiate, manage, monitor and evaluate, they enable teachers to teach more effectively through a variety of means such as social media, virtual learning, in-country professional development programs, teacher and learner exchanges, courses for youth and support of local professional associations and their activities. Through these efforts, they offer a window on U.S. society, history, and culture, and encourage analytical thinking, tolerance for difference, and increased understanding among themselves and their students. The Regional English Language Officer for Mali is based in Dakar.
Webinars
Throughout the year, the Public Affairs Section hosts webinars for local English language teachers. Held every other Wednesday in the spring and fall, the webinars are broadcast live from Washington, DC. It is necessary to sign up for these events. For more information, please send an email to pasbamako@state.gov with “Webinar Information Request” in the subject line.
