The training is being held at a time when the ministry is placing more importance on Syrians being able to speak English for better job opportunities.

“The Education Ministry issued a decision stipulating that teaching English at a primary-school level has become an integral part of the curriculum,” said Amir Ramzan, a senior teacher at the British Council.

“There is commitment in the ministry to improving the quality of primary-school teaching,” he said.

The ministry is placing emphasis on the English language, pointing out that it is an official international language.

“The better trained the teachers, the more impact they will have,” Ramzan added.

Experts at the ministry said the course would help 40 teachers to upgrade their skills.

The British Council is committed to improving the English-language level in Syria, according to the educational specialist. This is the first time the course has been run in the capital and training continues in other places.

“We are half-way through the course in Deirzzor. The course is unique in terms of theory, practice and duration,” Ramzan explained.

Last year, the British Council conducted three courses across the country, in the cities of Aleppo, Homs, and Lattakia, but these courses were shorter and not as intensive, according to Ramzan.

“Primary school teachers are sometimes offered training by other organizations, but the course is often short, a week maximum,” he said.

The project is funded by international oil company Shell and is located in Deirzzor, whereas its company offices are situated in Damascus. It has underwritten the training course as part of its corporate social responsibility program contributing to Syrian development.

Shell is also sponsoring an educational campaign in Deirzzor teaching children road safety.

Ramzan said he hoped funding would continue for these kinds of courses, in order for the British Council to continue improving the level of teaching.

“We hope we will have another one of these courses in the winter to help teachers who have not received a lot of training in the past,” he concluded. – IRINnews.org