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IH training course for the Ministry of Communication in Kabul

September-October 2003

After more than two decades of continuous warfare, most of the Afghanistan’s infrastructure has been destroyed, and the country’s entire state and legal system has been devastated. More than 6 million refugees went into exile to neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. Kabul, more than any other city, has suffered terribly from the war; an estimated 60% of shelter in the capital has been reduced to rubble.

In spite of this, the capital shows an overwhelmingly friendly, positive face to the foreign visitor.

In our experience, the most significant and immediate safety concerns for any visitor are traffic and road conditions. Crossing any of the main streets of Kabul by foot is a real challenge. Today Afghanistan heavily depends on foreign aid. There are more than a hundred NGOs operating in Kabul alone, and their number and activity all around the country is growing.

International House was invited by Mohammed Masoom Stanekzai, Minister of Communication, to address the immediate language needs at the Ministry and its training institute in Kabul in early 2003. The preliminary aim of the visit was to provide training for English teaching staff currently working for the Ministry with a focus on helping to develop students’ skills in translating technical documentations.

The staff at the Ministry of Communication number around 3500, and 350 of them are currently receiving English training. Training is in classes of 35, and lessons are held every day.

Based on the observations, and a needs-analysis with the teachers, the initial draft plan was completely re-written to include CELTA style input. In addition, language development for the teachers was provided each day.

Through the visit, IH also aimed to explore the current situation in Afghanistan and particularly in Kabul, and to investigate further opportunities of establishing longer term training programmes. Gathering first hand information on practical living and working conditions, contacting potential local and international partners and doing some initial market research for future IH activities also formed part of our purpose.

A further desired outcome of the visit was to create a video documentary for trainers who might be interested in participating in future projects, and a shorter film that could be used to aid fund raising activities. This latter film was also shown at the IH 50th anniversary celebration in 2004.

Zoltán Rozgonyi
IH Budapest, Euro Examination Centre