Benin American Language Center

The Benin American Language Center (BALC) is an independent language institute under the auspices of the Public Affairs Section. It promotes English Language learning and multicultural diversity.  The program has been operating for over 30 years in Benin.

The program serves approximately 500 students per term in four regularly scheduled sessions per years. Also offered are lunchtime classes and August Intensives.In addition, we offer offsite classes to businesses and private clients.

The BALC curriculum, which is based on the use of American textbooks, emphasizes the communicative aspects of language learning, while providing students with a full range of reading, listening and writing activities, as well as important cultural content. Classes meet Monday-Saturday, 4 hours a week for 10 weeks each term. In addition to six levels of basic general English, the ALC also offers a variety of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses (e.g. Business English, English for Air Traffic Controlers), as well as TOEFL Preparation courses.  The Center is prepared to design classes based on special needs. Students may also register for a 60-hour intensive session held for 4 weeks in August.

The Faculty

BALC teachers  are hired on a part-time basis only, and are expected to create an atmosphere of meaningful interaction and effective learning in the classroom. Over 95% of the current faculty (18) are Beninese EFL teachers.  Most of them are High School teachers or professors at the University of Benin. Most of the  BALC teachers  have had at least one ELT training opportunity in the USA or Great  Britain..

The Students

The BALC offers language training to children and adults.  Students come from all walks of life. Ages for the Children's programs are from 5 - 11. Students from 12 - 18 meet once a week for 3 hours. Students are either self-selected (pre-paying the course at the time of registration) or sponsored by employers or local business. Sponsors provide a letter of guarantee for each sponsored student, and are invoiced for fees after the term begins. Sponsors also receive mid-term and final evaluation reports on each student.

Study Program for the Year:  

First Term	October  - December
Second Term	January - March
Third Term	April - June
Fourth Term	July - September

Special classes are offered during the summer vacation:

Adults: Grammar, Conversation, and Survival English

Secondary Students: General courses (for high school students)  September 

Regular Courses

The regular courses are divided into six cycles of 3 sessions each.  Each session lasts one trimester (40 hours). Students are tested to determine their English proficiency level the last Tuesday (10 a.m.) and Thursday (4 p.m.) of each month.  During the registration  period, additional  tests are scheduled approximately four times per week on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.; and on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m.

 

CYCLE  I  Beginner English Level 1a Level 1b Level 1c		CYCLE II  Advanced Beginner Level 2a Level 2b Level 2c	CYCLE III  Intermediate Level 3a Level 3b Level 3c
CYCLE IV  Advanced Intermediate Level 4a Level 4b Level 4c		CYCLE V Advanced Level 5a Level 5b Level 5c	CYCLE VI  Pilot Program Encompassing 3 levels of advanced work) Pilot 6 Project Involves all aspects


 

CYCLE VII:  Advanced Courses  Advanced Conversation TOEFL PREPARATION Course of up to 50 hours to help students to prepare for the TOEFL EXAM with final class ending the week of the examination   English I and II Administrative English Advanced Listening Comprehension English for Special Purposes Private Tutoring a specially designed program to meet the needs of the client.

In addition to the regularly  scheduled classes, the Center also offers "Language in the Afternoon,"  which are specially designed classes offered at lunch time. The courses are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and last 90 minutes.


At the end of Cycle 7, students once again take the Placement Test.  If successful, they will receive a Certificate of Advanced Proficiency.

 

American Language Center Efficient and Professional Courses  (in the American Cultural Center)  Blvd. de France opposite  Novotel Tél : 30.45.53

Other services: Translations, Interpretations, TELP ( Test of English Language Proficiency); Attestation of Language Proficiency.