Regional English Language Office

FAQs

Q.  Does the embassy teach English?

A.  No, not any longer. 

The former embassy program is now Dakar English Language Center.  They are located near Place de l’Indépendence.

Address:  Rue Carnot x Av. LS Senghor. 
Telephone:  821-16-34 or 821-83-43
Web: www.acsusenegal.com

There is also an American university in Dakar that has an English language program.  Suffolk University is located in Sotrac Mermoz.

Address: Km. 6, Av. Cheikh Anta Diop, BP 16 892
Telephone:  869-10-00 or 869-10-10
Web:  www.suffolk.edu/dakar

Q. What exchange opportunities are available for English teachers?

A.  The embassy offers two exchange programs for qualified English teachers: an academic year and a 6-week program.  Participants are selected in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.  Contact the Ministry’s Direction de l’Enseignement Moyen Secondaire General at 822-18-62 for more information.

Q.  Does the RELO support English Clubs?

A.  Yes.  The programs that we find most interesting and valuable will do at least one of these things:

Help your school learn more about America or American holidays

Teach some English to others in your community (such as: help kids understand a fairy tale in English, create vocabulary enrichment posters for your school)

Show social responsibility (such as: use the Internet to find information you can share addressing community problems: street children, literacy, image of Africa in the world, women’s equality)

Show entrepreneurship (prepare a quality performance and sell tickets or hold a car wash to raise money to buy books, cassettes for your club)

The RELO normally cannot finance your programs so plan according to your means.  We will often bring prizes.  If you want the RELO to attend, you must let us know very early, especially if you are far from Dakar.  Contact Khalil Ndiaye at 823-11-85 x3107.

Q. How can I find pen pals for my students?

A.  Hands Across the World offers this on their website at http://hatw.net/.  Click on “Class Exchange.”

Q. How can our school have a partnership with an American school?

A. Partnerships typically grow out of friendships between American and African teachers, often English teachers because of their language skills.  There are many ways to make friends.  Get involved in projects with international links (e.g. Junior Achievement or iEARN).  Meet American colleagues on teacher-oriented websites (e.g. Dave's ESL Café or English Forums). Senegalese English teachers should apply for the Fulbright teacher exchange.  Invite local Americans to your school.  In time, a partnership may grow.