English Language Programs

Pennsylvania-based educator Lindsey Kurtz, Director of Legal English Certificate Programs & Language Specialist at Dickinson Law, leads international initiatives that strengthen professional communication in global legal contexts.

As an in Russia, she delivered a six-part Corporate Law webinar series for 1,000+ lawyers and law students. And in Islamabad, she led a multi-phase Legal English program involving needs analysis, curriculum design, and training legal professionals to teach Legal English—building long-term capacity within Pakistan’s legal community.

Across both projects, Kurtz advanced practical skills, global collaboration, and sustainable professional learning networks.

Read more about the impact of English Language Programs participants from the Middle Atlantic Region at https://elprograms.org/freedom-250. 🇺🇸

🎶 From jazz and blues to hip hop and rock, students at the University of Lomé’s American Corner explored the soundtrack of America ahead of ! In Togo, Amanda Cady led an interactive English Club session featuring iconic artists like Louis Armstrong, Nirvana, and Tina Turner—using music to spark conversation, build English skills, and connect cultures. Students even dove into artist “scavenger hunt” biographies, discovering new favorites and proudly presenting their findings to classmates. 🎤✨

Based in Oak Harbor, Washington, Jovilin “Jo” Grunewald brings Pacific Northwest grit and global reach to English education. A Georgetown-trained linguist and Washington State ELL teacher, she also served 13 years as a U.S. Army Signal Officer, bringing military precision, leadership, and logistics experience into her work. As a , she has led conversation clubs that strengthen teaching practice, build cultural understanding, and promote English as a bridge for clear communication and international engagement.

Read more about the impact of English Language Programs participants from the Pacific Region at https://elprograms.org/freedom-250. 🇺🇸

Will you be at in Orlando, Florida? ☀️ We will! Let us know if you’re coming in the comments. 👇

Hosted by ISTE and ASCD, this premier event brings together over 16,000 innovators to explore the future of teaching. Make sure to stop by booth #1000 to say hi! 👋

Learn more about how we’re participating here: https://elprograms.org/event/were-headed-to-istelive-26-ascd-annual-conference-26-see-you-in-orlando/

From pro baseball with the San Francisco Giants to the California police force to training educators across Central Asia, Dr. Giuseppe Chiaramonte has had an unforgettable career journey. ⚾👮📚 As an in Uzbekistan, he has brought student-centered teaching, AI integration, and leadership training to future educators and public servants while helping strengthen U.S.–Uzbekistan collaboration through education and professional exchange.

Read more about the impact of English Language Programs participants from the Pacific Region at https://elprograms.org/freedom-250. 🇺🇸

Even in a low-bandwidth, “cameras-off” classroom, connection and collaboration found a way. 💻🌍 Kenyon Whitehead transformed English lessons for Ukrainian hospitality students into interactive, career-focused experiences by using collaborative on Teams—helping future hotel and restaurant professionals build the English, digital, and teamwork skills needed for the 2026 global workforce. 🏨✨

Anchorage-based Heather Benucci has brought American innovation and excellence to projects across Libya, Japan, and beyond. A veteran ELT educator and materials developer with prior military service, Benucci has a track record of implementing high-impact projects, including designing a custom “English for Interoperability” program for members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Okinawa, strengthening mission-essential communication skills, intercultural awareness, and U.S.-Japan cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Read more about the impact of English Language Programs participants from the Pacific Region at https://elprograms.org/freedom-250. 🇺🇸

are leading the future of AI-powered learning. 🤖🔮📽️ In Iraq, Specialist Stephen Lind led a virtual training series on trade language and other key business topics for professionals from Iraqi chambers of commerce, business councils, and private enterprises. Realizing the range of participants’ English level, he quickly pivoted and recorded a parallel video lecture series, using AI-supported translation and voiceover tools to create bilingual learning materials that would amplify and scale the impact of the live training. The result: more enduring, adaptable training—and a clear example of in for education and economic development.

Pacific Northwest roots, global impact 🌲🌍 Oregon-based educator Lauren Johnson brought 25+ years of nonprofit and ESL expertise to her project in Türkiye, where she worked with members of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities in Türkiye to strengthen civil society. Through practical English for fundraising, leadership, and storytelling, she helped participants craft powerful messages, connect with supporters, and build resilient initiatives.

Read more about the impact of English Language Programs participants from the Pacific region at https://elprograms.org/freedom-250. 🇺🇸