1. AMAL1 Educational Network Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy November 2007

2. Today’s Agenda:  About Amal  Cooperation with the Office of Public Affairs  Access Project  Looking to the Future  Thank you 2

3. The Amal Network incorporates 101 educational institutions covering a range of education and training areas:  56 high schools  16 junior high schools  15 colleges for Technicians and Practical Engineers  14 adult training centers 3

4. Division of High Schools:  34 high schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Education  22 high schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment 4

5. 56 High Schools Houra Tiberias; Shimshon Afula Nazareth Ramat David Emek Harod Sharon Tira Taibeh Petah Tikva Ramleh_ Lod Jerusalem Nahariyya; Kisra Smiya Kiryat Haim Zarzir; Shfaram Hadera Tel Hashomer Tel Aviv Rishon LeTsion; Rehovot Ashdod ) Kiryat Malahi; Ofakim Rahat Lakia Be’er Sheba (4) Dimona Tel Sheva Kuseifa Safed Araara

6. 6 The number of students and teachers in the Amal network is approximately:  Students – 30,000  Teachers and administrative personnel – more than 3,000

7. U.S. Embassy – Amal Cooperation  Advancement of the teaching of English in the Bedouin sector - the Access Project  Providing the services of an English Language Fellow to work with teachers and students in the Bedouin sector  Promotion of improved intercultural relations, through support of various projects:  Debate  Star 14

8. U.S. Embassy – Amal Cooperation  Advancement of the teaching of English, through support of teacher professional development, including:  Study days, DVCs, online courses and seminars  Teacher delegation to U.S.  Enrichment of English curricula through presentations by U.S. Embassy staff members in schools throughout the country  Participation in “American Corner” activities  Providing learning materials to Amal schools 15

9. Access Project (2005-2008)  Advancement of the teaching of English in the Bedouin sector, in the following Amal schools:  Araara  Kuseifeh  Lakia  Hura  Tel Sheva (both schools)  Rahat 16

10. Access Project Objectives:  Increase the number of students who take the 4–point English matriculation exams in each of the Amal high schools in the Negev  Train teachers to excel in preparing students for with high-level examinations  Expose students to all aspects of the English language (reading, writing, speaking and listening)  Foster cross-cultural awareness and promote tolerance  Acquaint students with various aspects of American history and culture 17

11. Access Project - Implementation Stages 18

12. Access Project - Results 4 point students 1920072005School48%6925%40Hura 43%4629.4%35 Tel Sheva A 60%25 Tel Sheva B 49%6340.8%53Kuseifeh 38%5530.2%48Lakia 61%5234%31Rahat

13. Excerpts from a letter written by an Access teacher: “ “I will not forget the ACCESS project which comes on time to help students to become 4 pointers instead of 3 pointers in their Bagrut examination. … It is a huge step for the entire group who did not believe in their ability and their intelligence. Starting this project, they become very motivated, very keen and very enthusiastic… I would like to thank AMAL and the U.S. Embassy for the kindness and generosity extended to all of us.” (Maha Gabo’a, Kuseifa) 20

14. Looking to the Future  Continued advancement of the teaching of English in the Bedouin sector.  Expansion of existing projects to include reinforced study of Hebrew and Arabic in the Bedouin sector.  Continued professional development of the English teaching staff.  Continued collaboration in all current areas of involvement. 21

15. Thank you…  On behalf of the Amal students and teachers, we would like to express our appreciation for the continued support of the U.S. Embassy, including:  Richard Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Israel  Ephraim Cohen, Cultural Affairs Officer  Roger Webb, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer  Zeba Reyazuddin, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer  Rick Rosenberg, Regional English Language Officer  Risa Levy, Cultural Affairs Specialist 22

16. Their future – Our commitment Their future – Our commitment