Workers from various professional backgrounds in OECS Member States are wrapping up the first phase of a Language Training programme being coordinated by the OECS Secretariat on behalf of several regional institutions.

For the past three months, the trainees have been attending French and Spanish classes at the Alliance Francaise and Venezuelan Institute in their respective countries. This phase will end with a final exam at the end of July.

Phase Two of the programme begins in August with the selection of thirty-six of the participants from all participating OECS countries to travel to Martinique and Venezuela for an immersion programme at the University of French West Indies and Guiana and the Central University in Caracas.

While there they will receive specialized training in their professional area, visit local public agencies and businesses, and participate in cultural activities.

The Language Training project is aimed at key-personnel dealing with regional cooperation matters in OECS countries (government officials, business people and foreign language teachers) who have already gained an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in the language of interest.

It is coordinated by the OECS Education Reform Unit in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and with sponsorship from the Inter-American Development Bank; the Caribbean Development Bank; along with the Regional Councils of Guadeloupe and Martinique; the French Regional Cooperation Fund and the government of Venezuela. This first batch of students are part of a pilot project - the first phase of an ACS wider-scale Language Training Project, the objective of which is to facilitate and improve communication and regional cooperation among ACS Member States and Associate members through the strengthening of foreign language skills (French and Spanish) of OECS countries.

For further information please contact

OECS Communications Officer Mr. Kendol Morgan at Tel: (758) 452-2537 ext 8120; Fax: (758) 453-1628; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alexandra Binazzi, Project Coordinator; at the OECS Education Reform Unit, Tel (758) 452-2082; Fax: (758) 453-0841