AKIPRESS.COM - The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic together with Lingua Foundation for Innovative Education will launch the third cohort of the English for Young Professionals Program in Bishkek and all regions throughout the Kyrgyz Republic on September 23. The program will provide one-year English language courses free of charge for over 1,500 government employees, press, and members of civil society, the U.S. Embassy said.

The English for Young Professionals Program provides government officials, media professionals, and civil society employees with the unique opportunity to study English with the goal of expanding ties between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic. Entry into the 2020 program is now closed.

In Bishkek, 23 ministries and government agencies will participate in the program, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (39 employees), Ministry of Transport (43 employees), Ministry of Economy (69 employees), Ministry of Finance (23 employees), Ministry of Labor and Social Development (51 employees), Bishkek City Hall (54 employees), Office of the President and Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (43 employees), and others. 34 groups of government officials and journalists will study English in Bishkek, 14 groups - in Osh, 3 groups - in Jalal-Abad, 4 groups - in Karakol, 1 group in Cholpon-Ata, 3 groups in Naryn, 1 group in Batken, and 2 groups in Talas.

Program participants will be provided with original textbooks published by leading foreign publishers. All classes will be taught by highly qualified teachers, including native speakers working with higher level students and leading speaking clubs.

In 2019, 568 program participants received 200 hours of instruction under the English for Young Professionals program.