In 2002, the Saharawi government invited us to establish a permanent presence on the ground in the refugee camps. That took the form of an English school, built in Smara camp. It was officially inaugurated in March of 2005 as Essalam English Center.
Why an English School?
The Saharawi people long to become a part of the global community. They feel that English is the primary language that provides a window into that world. Thus, learning English is something that most Saharawi dream of accomplishing.
The Vision of Essalam
Our goal is to bring a quality English language program to the Saharawi camps that prepares students to communicate conversationally in English, both informally and professionally. We aim to help Saharawi reach a level of English that will allow them to reach their goals and aspirations both in and outside of the refugee camps. We also train our top level students to become English teachers and/or translators.
How the School Works
We are investing in the lives of the Essalam students, preparing them to be able to effectively use English to communicate conversationally as well as professionally, according to their own personal goals. We are also training our top level students to become English teachers and/or translators. Working together with the native English-speaking teachers, mostly Americans, the Saharawi students are trained in the classroom until they are ready to teach English on their own. They are then placed in classrooms either in Smara or in other camps.
The Students
Essalam English Center is focused on adult education. Men and women age 17 and older can attend. The classes are free of charge. Over the years we have had students who range from post-high school to government leaders, and everything in-between.
The Curriculum
Essalam’s primary curriculum is Interchange, a well-respected English language curriculum focusing on the communicative learning method. There are 4 levels that include classroom study and listening lab work that corresponds with the curriculum. There are also supplementary materials and lessons used in the classroom to give the students a broad language learning experience. The school also has a small library for students to use.
The Schedule
The two main semesters for the school are Fall (late September – early December) and Spring (early March through May). As teachers are available, there are also classes offered between those two semesters, usually about a month in length. The summer session focuses more on Saharawi university students who are away during the normal school year.
The Teachers
Native English-speakers, primarily Americans, from many places in the US have taught at Essalam. Anyone who teaches must share the same values that Essalam holds, and serve the students out of hearts of love and respect. The teachers are self-funded (or funded by private donations), and are not financially compensated by Essalam. We currently have several Saharawi teachers who have reached a high level of English either through our school or other training. One of our goals is to raise up Saharawi to be teachers in order to teach their own people.
The Staff
Essalam’s principal, Salama, is also a teacher and leads the year-round Saharawi staff who maintain and secure Essalam’s building. They are the ones who “hold down the fort” so that a quality education can be available for our students year after year…whether the Americans are there or not. They are also funded by the generous donations of private Americans.
