Muscat: Oman is making strong efforts to teach English as the second language to the younger generation but a senior Ministry of Education official feels that there is also a need to create a suitable environment at home so that the language can be easily adopted by pupils.

"We definitely need to change the mindset, especially at homes," Aisha Bint Ahmad Suweidan Al Blushi, Deputy Director-General, Education, Ministry of Education, said at a press conference yesterday.

She said the ministry was making every effort in that direction. "We conduct English language sessions for parents, especially women, with the stress on reading sessions," she added.

She said although Oman was preserving its own culture and past, changes were also taking place. "We are changing. Now both parents are working and giving children education."

Realising the need to educate young Omanis in English language, the ministry has started teaching English language from Grade I instead of Grade IV since 1998.

"We are also conducting workshops and seminars for English language teachers and supervisors since 1981 but this year we have taken a step further to broaden their perspective," Aisha said.

From tomorrow, the ministry is hosting a three-day conference for English language teachers and supervisors. "The conference will serve as an ideal forum for the country's English language teachers and supervisors," said Aisha.

High demand

"There has been a steady population growth with numbers of school leavers expanding every year [approximately 84,000 in June 2007]. The number of providers of English language training has necessarily expanded and most regions have a number of institutions ... to meet the increased demand," said Aisha.

According to her, the effects of introducing English language from Grade I will be felt only after 2010.

The three-day conference has attracted 650 participants.

"The basic aim of the conference is to provide a forum for our English Language teachers [5,526 as of October 2007] and supervisors [126] to present the innovations introduced or research conducted in their schools," said Ali Bin Jabbir Al Thuhly, Director, Department of Educational Supervision, Directorate General of Education, Ministry of Education.

Michele Ni Thoghdha, Chief Supervisor for English, Department of Educational Supervision, Ministry of Education, said delegates from other GCC states and 50 international publishers would also take part.