Remarks of Ambassador Charles L. Glazer
IV Annual Gang Conference
April 8, 2008

Good morning, and welcome to the 10th National Conference for Teachers of English, one of the most important events for the English Language Teaching Community in El Salvador. 

This is my first opportunity to speak here at the Salvadoran-American Cultural Center, and I want to talk for a moment about the importance of your career, and about how English is becoming the most important language in many fields of our daily life. 

There are over 750 million people who speak English as a foreign language and according to research, there are more than one billion people currently learning it. 

Those who learn to speak English have a distinct advantage both at home and abroad.

They vastly expand the universe of people with whom they can communicate; they have access to a staggering amount of information and resources on some of the most important topics of our time; they increase their educational opportunities; and in general, they open new doors personally and professionally. 

Since arriving in El Salvador nearly 18 months ago, I have been impressed by the strides this country and its citizens have made and continue make to become more competitive in this globalized world. 

You as English teachers are an essential part of this effort; you are making Salvadorans more competitive by sharing experiences and best practices with fellow professionals at this conference, and by teaching the English-language skills essential for your students to work productively in the plethora of industries that use English as their primary language worldwide. 

Whether your students want to work in business, science, information technology, medicine or tourism, they will find it critical to know English to maximize their studies in those areas and then their effectiveness in the workforce. 

You have chosen one of the most rewarding careers available today. 

Each of you can have an enormous, positive impact on the lives of your students and the future of your country. 

That’s something to be very proud of. But dedicating yourselves to becoming the best English teachers you can be is also a serious commitment that requires a great deal of time and energy. 

That is why I am extremely pleased and satisfied that so many of you are attending this important event. Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to improving your skills and your effectiveness as English teachers. 

I am also very happy to see the Salvadoran-American Cultural Center’s impressive dedication to ensuring that this conference is professionally rewarding for all of you.

I urge you all to take full advantage of all this conference has to offer. In addition to learning new and important information on English teaching techniques and strategies, you will also have the opportunity to meet new colleagues and make new friends. 

Those new friendships can be as valuable as the information you take away from this conference – you will have new colleagues with whom you can discuss new ideas or concepts, and you’ll have support when you feel particularly challenged or even overwhelmed at times.

Let me close by congratulating you all for being here and for taking on the challenge of helping others improve their lives by learning. 

You are playing a critical role in each of your students’ future successes, and in your country’s bright future.

Thank you.