US Consulate’s ACCESS English Program for Pakistani students

U.S. Diplomat Launches Access English Program In Bahawalpur

Bahawalpur: U.S. Consulate Lahore Principal Officer Bryan D. Hunt emphasized "the need for better English communication skills in the contemporary world" as he formally launched the English ACCESS Micro-scholarship program in Bahawalpur on Tuesday.
"The success of ACCESS programs around the country encouraged us to expand it to Bahawalpur, where it will reach 300 students, and provide them with the English language skills so necessary to compete for college admissions and jobs," remarked Mr. Hunt after being received by Dr. Aslam Adeeb, Chairman of the Pakistan Reading Association. Under a one-year grant, the U.S. State Department is providing assistance worth $86,670 to the Pakistan Reading Association to teach English to 300 school children at five centers in Bahawalpur.
"Learning English through a program linked with the U.S. Consulate in Lahore will provide these bright students with a new window on American values and culture that will enhance trust and understanding between our two nations," stated the U.S. diplomat as he presented certificates of participation to students at the Government Boys Cantt High School, Kali Puli.
The English ACCESS Micro-scholarship Program is an initiative of the U.S. State Department that provides an American-style classroom experience to underprivileged youth around the world. The goal of this program is to adequately prepare bright students in written and spoken English so that they can gain admission to Pakistan’s universities, thus permitting them to compete more effectively with students who have studied in English-medium schools.
The first ACCESS program in Pakistan was started in 2004 in Lahore. Based on the extraordinary success of this pilot project, programs were also initiated in Karachi, Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi and Gwadar. Approximately 1500 students are benefiting from this program.

Source: Pakistani newspapers and media