For about 16 months, I’ve been involved in the English Access Microscholarship Program (EAMP), known as Access Program. It’s a two-year program targeting the under-served teenagers. It’s a huge program funded by US Department of State and carried out by my university, the American University in Cairo, AUC. The major component is English teaching (192 hours/class/year). Other components include American culture classes, community service, and field trips.

It was my first time ever teaching early teens as all my teaching experience has been with adults and young adults. At first, it was very difficult for me dealing with those kids, bearing in mind their behavioral problems due to their social background. As time went by, both of us began to enjoy it. Students started to appreciate the effort I’m putting in their classes and their English has been improving like I never thought it would.

Last week, they went for a visit to the US embassy IRC (Information and Resource Center). They watched a movie and had a discussion with the people in charge there. I couldn’t believe how their communication skills have progressed; they were able to communicate very smoothly with native speakers, understand the movie and have a lively discussion about it. They ahve come a long way to the people they are now.

As I look at them now, I can’t help thinking that although the name of the program means enabling under-served students to have access to English learning, the whole program is simply an access to a better future packed with opportunities. It certainly needs dedication and determination on both sides: students and teachers.