In a country where everyone thirsts for knowledge but teachers are scarce and poorly trained, Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) students are taking the lead as English language tutors for their peers and communities. English Clubs founded by the GCE program in the cities of Kabul, Jalalabad and, most recently, Taloqan, are working hard to improve the English language skills of Afghans of all ages and backgrounds. The student-led GCE English Clubs, which receive technical support from Relief International – School Online (RI-SOL), meet three times a week and rely on volunteers: high school students and graduates, including a student enrolled in Nangarhar University’s English Literature program and former GCE exchange students Samsoor R. and Shukria R., who visited the United States in the summer of 2007.

In Kabul, the more advanced English learners read short stories and discuss topics such as human rights, education, society and technology in English, under the guidance of teacher and Internet Learning Center manager Ihsan A. The English Club of Jalalabad organizes classes for three groups of learners: a group of beginner girls brought in by the Social Volunteer Foundation (an organization which serves the needs of street children); a group of girls from the Behsood District (a rural area 30 km outside of the city); and a group of fifteen teachers from the local Teacher Training College, who need to acquire English skills in order to search for and use teaching materials available online. In Taloqan, the newly formed English Club welcomes students from seven local schools and works separately with female and male learners.

Language learning may be a hobby elsewhere, but in Afghanistan, it translates into marketable skills for young job seekers. Some of the graduates of GCE English Clubs and technology courses are now successfully employed as educators and able to support large extended families. For example, Ms. Rahmina and Ms. Roqia both teach at the Sherzai Academy of English and Computers; Mr. Khashal teaches English to people with disabilities through a local NGO and Mr. Nagialy works as a private tutor of English. All of them also find time to volunteer for GCE workshops and other activities.