TWE & Social-Networking

Teach Women English is dedicated to promoting economic opportunities for women in rural regions of Lebanon through English language education. Given the difficulty of accessing these peripheral locations, TWE has predominately relied upon traditional means of promoting our program in these remote areas of society, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and letters. As TWE grew, however, so did our need to expand our methods of communication and promotion.

The rapidly evolving world of online social networking offers opportunities for individuals, business, and organizations to connect with potential partners, sponsors, donors, teachers, students, and friends in ways never before possible. After attending a training session on the importance and uses of social media with E-MediaT, I decided that internet networking would be the best way to fill in the ever-growing communication gap among TWE participants and expand the visibility of the project in Lebanon. Early on in 2011, I created a webpage on Facebook to test whether or not this new form of social networking would be successful for TWE. Our site grew rapidly, becoming a popular place for our women to share their thoughts and photos of the program. It also became an important tool for disseminating information about upcoming events and changes with TWE.

I quickly realized that all women could benefit from the lessons I learned on effectively using social media, and added a ‘Social Media’ session to the Teacher’s Training and Orientation held in Faraya this November. Since the training, internet traffic on our Facebook site has drastically increased. Established members have been using the site more often, and we are constantly accepting new members! Our site has become so popular that I’ve decided to expand TWE’s online exposure to blogosphere, through Google’s blog page Blogger, in order to provide our followers with the in-depth information they crave. I hope that you will join me as I increase my internet savvy for the betterment of myself and TWE.

TWE Teacher Training

On Friday, November 18, 2011, 33 teachers from all districts of Lebanon gathered for a four day workshop on Practical Methodologies for "Teach Women English" at the Intercontinental Mzaar Hotel. Hayya Bina was honored to have Dr. Leslie Opp-Beckman from the University of Oregon, head editor of TWE's new book "Women Teaching Women English,"  lead the training.

TWE Graduation

On Sunday, October 30, 2011 Hayya Bina held its second national graduation ceremony at Beit at Tabib for Teach Women English. It was with great pride and enthusiasm that Hayya Bina honored the students, teachers, organizations, and municipalities that worked for the success and growth of the program. Since February 2008, Hayya Bina has worked with diverse partners across Lebanon to serve nearly 3,000 students of all ages and backgrounds. Together, we have empowered women to reach their greatest potential as leaders in our communities.

U.S. Ambassador: Maura Connelly

Project Manager: Sylva Akl

Hayya Bina Director: Lokman Slim

Meet TWE!

Nahla Rifai is a 49-year-old French teacher from Baalbek who also owns an artisan clothing shop. She has a degree in history from the Lebanese University in Zahle. TWE has made a substantial difference in her daily life. “At my shop I have to speak to tourists in English. Before I could only speak French. Two weeks ago I had two people from Holland who only spoke English. I sold them a jacket and towel!”

Meet TWE!

Sanaa Yahfoufi is a 42-year-old mother of 3 boys from Baalbek. She graduated high school and practices a traditional form of sewing found only in Baalbek, called Oya. TWE has helped her daily life. “I can help my little boy with his English homework. I can also start to make out words on television or in magazines, and I can read medicine labels.”

Meet TWE!

Dunia Yaghi is a 50-year-old drawing teacher, graduate of Mackenze with a degree in visual communication, and a tri-lingual mother of 3 adult children. Despite some previous engagement with English (she loves Eminem), Dunia credits TWE with expanding her vocabulary and giving her opportunities to practice. “I knew no vocabulary about cars, hotels, speed limits, signs.” Dunia also has practical goals for English. “I want to get a new job, perhaps in Beirut. Men in Lebanon do not think women should work, but I disagree. My favorite story in our book is about the 100-year-old woman still working. No limits!” 

Meet TWE!

Nada Tufeili is TWE’s local teacher in Baalbek. At 23, she is a teacher with AMIDEAST and Baalbek’s Heliopolis Elementary School, studying English Literature at the Lebanese University in Zahle, and plans to learn translation in Beirut. Nada decided to teach with TWE for one reason: “Women. I want to educate women. In a society where men dominate, I want to make women more aware of education and their rights. Maybe it can help them find jobs.” 

Meet TWE!

Ghina Hamade is an 18-year-old finishing Sahlat el Muy High School in Hermel. She wants to learn English because “it’s for life generally. Even if I wanted to study in Italy or France I need to pass an English test. My sister speaks French and Italian. I speak neither.” Although Ghina only knew English letters before starting TWE, the class is already making a difference. “I used to not be able to use the internet. Now I can – even for basic things.” 

Meet TWE!

Khadija Hajj Hasan is a 27-year-old from Chaat Rasm el Hadath, living with her husband and three children in Hermel, and is pursuing a degree in English Literature at the Lebanese University. Why did you start teaching English? “To escape from our children! No, I started teaching because I didn’t know people in Hermel so I saw this as a chance to communicate with others and help them. It’s a way for me to get to know them, enjoy my time, and teach what I’ve learned.” 

Meet TWE!

Amal Hushemi is a 46-year-old mother of 4 grown children from Taalabaya. “I wanted to study more after high school, but I got married and had too many responsibilities at home. But now that I’ve been married 26 years, I think I have more time.” Amal stays late to finish her homework and is teaching her husband, too. Amal’s interest in English began on a small scale. “I wanted to be able to send text messages. Now I can send texts to my husband and my brother in Romania.” 

Meet TWE!

Siham Baroud is a 37-year-old mother of 3 from Fourzol, a small village in the Central Bekaa Valley. “I wanted to go to university, but I got married after high school. I had too many responsibilities – immediately I had babies. I’m thinking about going back to university when things calm down at home. I want to study archaeology. I love discovery, renewal, making new from the old.” Siham’s interest in English most recently sprung from “using the internet – everything is in English. I also wanted to be able to watch movies without subtitles.” 

Meet TWE!

Heba Youssef is a 22-year-old from Taalabya who holds a Master’s Degree in Sociologyand will be matriculating into a PhD program in social sciences at the Lebanese University this fall. A recent experience tutoring English on the side motivated Heba to enroll with TWE. “I was teaching a small girl English who corrected me when I told her “chair” was spelled with an S-H.” 

Meet TWE!

Maila El Rafih is a 21-year-old from Bekaa and a psychology student at the Lebanese University in Zahle. “I actually teach English at my village school – the Bekaa school in Rashaya.” Maila decided to enroll with TWE when she found she could not answer an 8^th grade student’s question about cooking. “When children ask you something and you say ‘I’ll get you the answer later,’ it’s very hard.” TWE has also affected the way Maila teaches. “The way our teacher teaches itself tells me how to teach and order ideas for others.”

Meet TWE!

Mary Najam is a 36-year-old from Ain el Rimaneh who holds a degree in Biology from the Lebanese University in Beirut and a certificate for teaching high school biology and physics. She is a full-time high school physics teacher. Mary’s immediate motivation to learn English came from a trip to Australia. “I was visiting my aunt for 3 months, but I couldn’t do anything alone. Simple things like shopping, taking the bus were very difficult. It was embarrassing.” Mary’s class has given her confidence and goodwill. “I’m no longer afraid to speak English.”

Meet TWE!

Fatima Kteish is a 20-year-old from Beirut with a degree in business management from the Lebanese University, starting her Master’s program. Fatima realized she needed more English “when I was teaching a Canadian girl physics, biology, and math.” Fatima’s goal is to be a translator. “I plan to travel to Germany to learn German so I speak can English, French, German, and Arabic.” Her favorite part of class is that “everyone is equal, even though I’m younger than everyone else. Even though we all come from different places and religions, there is no difference in class.” 

Meet TWE!

Mariam Sleiman is a 21-year-old from Beirut with a BA in business management at the Lebanese University and beginning her Master’s degree. “Before I started here, I never liked English and could never learn it – the words used to just run together. But I work at a bank and most systems use English so I needed it. As I learn more, though, I see that I can learn and I’ve started to enjoy it.” 

Meet TWE!

Amal Barbar is a 49-year-old from Akkar living in Beirut with a Master degree in social work from St. Joseph University. “I work in the Ministry of Social Affairs. I need English at work because some people who meet the minister only speak English. Since I only spoke Arabic and French, they couldn’t understand me.” Learning English has also had personal benefits. “My boyfriend speaks Arabic and English. He thinks I’m taking English out of love for him! This is good for me.” 

Meet TWE!

Matilda Khalil is a 26-year-old teacher for TWE from the Chouf Mountains living in Beirut. She has a Master degree in English literature from the Lebanese University in Fannar and also works full time as an English teacher for grades 1-4 at the Mar Michael Elementary School. “The best thing for my English, though, was watching TV. People say it makes you dumb, but I think it opens your eyes. 

Meet TWE!

Shadia Shokier is a 22-year-old from Mays al Jabal, engaged and studying computers at a local technical school. Shadia decided to learn English after a trip to Shebaa. “I saw UNIFIL soldiers speaking English and I did not understand them. I wanted to talk to them! I saw them recently – they asked if I had a boyfriend and now I could say no – I have a fiancé!” She watches movies now without subtitles (she has seen Titanic three times) and wants to teach her children English. “I teach my fiancé English!” she says.

Meet TWE!

Hanin Hashem is a 19-year-old from Burj Rahhal pursuing Business Management at the American University of Culture and Education decided to enroll in TWE because a teacher criticized her French accent in English. “I cried. Even simple words I didn’t know.” The classes are already paying off. “I recently gave tourists directions in Beirut and in a bus I translated for a bus driver who wanted money from two people speaking English.”

Meet TWE!

Angam Fakhoury is a 19-year-old student of Business at the Islamic University in Sur from Burj Rahhal. “To do business you need to speak at least two foreign languages – so I need English. I want to work in a bank or school and you need to speak English there, too.” English has other benefits, too. “My sister and I can talk fast in English and our parents don’t understand us!”

Meet TWE!

Maryam Safa is a 23-year-old seamstress from Burj Rahhal who finished high school and is applying for hotel management school in Sur. “I dream to be a manager and build my own hotel. Tourism is spreading.” Maryam decided to enroll because she tutors math and science to English-educated students and the books are written in English. “Universities also ask about English language on the application.” My friends at first were against me taking the class – but they see now that I benefit and they accept it.”

Meet TWE!

Simaa Hassan is a 27-year-old from Burj Rahhal with 7 years of experience teaching children with special needs. “I like working with them in their own world. They give you knowledge.” Simaa joined the class after a special needs conference in Dubai. “Everyone spoke English and I couldn’t talk to anyone – I was so embarrassed.” Simaa’s teacher Rania says that she is her most active student. “I ask because if I don’t I will not learn,” says Simaa.

Meet TWE!

Sara Mroweh is a 17-year-old from Burj Rahhal, who left high school in 9^th grade, is engaged and planning to apply for courses in graphic design. Her class, she says, “is helping me speak to foreigners. My sister was in the hospital in Beirut. We met a foreigner who donates money and toys to the hospital. He asked how they treated my sister and I translated for her.”

Welcome to Teach Women English (TWE)’s blog!

Welcome to Teach Women English (TWE)’s blog! The purpose of this blog is to serve as a gathering place for participants of the Middle East’s only adult women’s English education program, provide updates on ongoing and upcoming events, and inform the broader community of the unique contributions this program is making to the daily lives of thousands of women, their families, and communities across Lebanon.  

Participants of TWE are given access to this blog to post pictures, comments, stories, and writing samples for their peers to read, and as a way to express themselves to the millions of English-speakers who can access this material. We hope that you, the women of TWE, will use this blog to express yourselves, and that the community of women, both here in Lebanon, and internationally, will support you by reading, commenting, and contributing their own material to this unique project. Enjoy!