Former Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's Remarks at the First National Conference of English Language Teachers "Innovations and Challenges" and at the English Teaching Resource Center Opening Ceremonies
"I. Creanga" Pedagogical State University

March 14, 2003

Ambassador Smith is welcomed by the Pedagodical University students

One of the missions of the U.S. Embassy in Moldova is to make connections between our countries, our institutions, and our people. Over the years the Embassy has promoted these connections through various programs - such as academic and professional exchanges, university partnerships, and the Peace Corps, as well as our government-to-government dialogues.

English language skills have been an important factor contributing to success of these connections. The English language has become the international language of business, politics, media, and technology.

12 years ago if an American stopped 10 Moldovans on the street here in Chisinau she might find only one that she could connect with through the English language. Today, if you stop 10 young adults on the street, it is likely that you will be able to connect with 5 to 7 of them in English.

You, the English Language Teachers of Moldova, are the people that we all thank for making this possible. Thanks to your hard work teaching English at the university and lyceum level, a new generation of Moldovan citizens is being equipped to connect with the world through English.

The English Teaching Resource Center, which we are opening today, will be a place where Moldovan English language teachers can improve their knowledge of English, develop their teaching skills, and connect with each other, with specialists in English language teaching, and with authentic English language resources in books and on the Internet.

However, opening the English Teaching Resource Center is not the only reason we are here today. One of the goals of this conference is to provide an opportunity for English Teachers from throughout Moldova to connect with one another. Today, during the breaks and between presentations, I urge you to introduce yourself to the people sitting around you. Connect with them. Find out who they are, where they work, what their teaching interests and challenges are. Get their email address, their phone and fax numbers so that you can connect with them and continue sharing ideas and overcoming challenges together next week, next month, and next year.

I wish you success in the conference today and as you return to your universities and schools with new ideas, new resources, and new connections.