Tirana Times
TIRANA, Oct 21 – British Ambassador to Albania Fiona McIlwham, has welcomed the English-Speaking Union (ESU)’s choice of Tirana for the 2010 annual conference, noting that Albania is one of the newest ESU members and the meeting was an excellent opportunity for Albania to make its mark in the organization. The Ambassador also emphasized the importance of debate and communication to consolidating democracy in Albania, the embassy said.
The English Speaking Union held its annual international conference in Tirana from October 20 to 21. The ESU Chairman, Lord Hunt of Wirral, International Chairman Emeritus, Lord Watson of Richmond, and delegates from ESU chapters around the world attended.
A UK-based charity, the ESU works worldwide to bring together people of all languages and cultures, and building skills and confidence in communicating and debate. It collaborates closely with the British Council, in support of its work to strengthen English language training specifically and education more widely.
ESU Albania is an educational charity whose purpose, shared with the English-Speaking Union internationally, is to promote international understanding and human achievements through the widening use of the English language.
The ESU extended its reach into one of the lesser-known corners of Europe with the launch of ESU Albania in Tirana on 7 September, 2009.
Thirty-one delegates from nine countries made the journey to the capital to welcome this latest addition to the ESU’s ever-growing network across the globe.
“The support given by the British Ambassador in Albania and the Albanian Ambassador to the Court of St James’s and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is promising for this young ESU as it begins its journey,” the ESU said in its November 2009 newsletter.
ESU Albania 2010
The Student/Teacher Educational and Cultural Exchange
The Student/Teacher Educational and Cultural Exchange provides new ideas and different perspectives to participants and their communities. Through the network of English Speaking Unions in over 50 countries around the world, participants are introduced to other cultures and fresh approaches while improving their language skills.
International Public Speaking Competition
A contest opens to all 16 to 20 year old students attending school or university in Albania. You must write and deliver a 5 minute speech addressing the topic ‘Speculating on our Future.’ The national winner will represent Albania at the international final in London next May.
Exhibition & Education
The English Speaking Union’s Exhibition & Education will be a major event bringing together educational stakeholders from Albania and the world. Exhibition & Education will allow schools, universities, students, teachers, publishers, organizations and businesses to learn more about each other through displays, presentations, forums and best practice studies.
Eligibility
The ESU International Public Speaking competition is open to all school and university students aged 16 to 20 who are members of ESU Albania. Students who are not yet members may apply for reduced cost membership of 10 Euros in order to enter the competition and enjoy ESU Albania programming, courses and events through 2010.
Prizes
The national winner will travel to London to represent Albania at the international finals.
The teacher who has supported the national winner will also travel with the winner to London. An additional teacher will go to London, drawn at random from those teachers who supported the IPSC in Albania
The top 15 finalists will attend master classes on how to develop their compositions into winning university and scholarship applications. Further prizes and rewards will be offered!
Forum
A place for students to ask each other questions, share ideas, develop strategies, make new friends, receive periodic guidance from ESU Albania staff
