Michigan State University Dubai Academy awarded teacher training grant by US Department of State

A total of 24 English language teachers will be selected to participate in the training program, which will focus on the latest methodology and techniques for teaching English to non native speakers.

According to Kaye Dunn, the director of the MSU Dubai Academy, the teacher training program will encompass current practices in leadership, methodology and pedagogy of teaching English to speakers of other languages. The two-week training program will take place in March 2010 at the MSUD Academy's facilities in Dubai, adjacent to the University's campus at Dubai International Academic City. All the participating teachers will be fully funded by the grant.

Kaye Dunn says:

"English language teaching is a critical factor in improving the opportunities for students in the Middle East to enter higher education and to enjoy rewarding career choices, which means that developing teaching skills in this area is vital."

"The MSU Dubai Academy was established to help non native English speaking students make the transition from school into higher education - and specifically the top US universities - with a strong emphasis on developing English language skills. The US Department of State grant supports this activity by allowing us to create and deliver a program designed specifically for teachers, who will then help improve the results of their students. We hope that from this beginning, we will be able to develop a longer term teaching training program at the MSU Dubai Academy, as part of our mission," adds Kaye Dunn.

The US Department of State, the US Government's foreign policy arm, awarded the grant (which is worth around $40,000) to MSU Dubai Academy following an application made by the institution.