With the final tests, candidates’ presentations and awarding of certificates, the third cycle of the YALS project, sponsored by the US Embassy in Serbia, “Teaching English to employees in local self-government units with a focus on practical skills needed for more effective communication with EU partners” was completed successfully.

YALS member schools implemented the training in 15 municipalities throughout Serbia (Novi Beograd, Savski Venac, Vracar, Jagodina, Cacak. Kovin, Krusevac, Lebane, Leskovac, Nis, Novi Sad, Vrnjacka Banja), and more than 180 employees in local governments had the opportunity to improve their knowledge of English. The project participants had the opportunity to improve their English skills with the aim of more effective communication between civil servants and foreign partners. The focus was on acquiring practical language skills that will improve written and oral communication. During the course, participants also had the opportunity to communicate with native speakers which, according to them, was a significant experience.

The participants’ satisfaction with the acquired new knowledge and skills, as well as their excellent results shown at the end of the training, are a great motivation for all members of our Association.

Having completed three cycles of this project successfully, YALS received an invitation from the US Embassy to organize the fourth cycle, which will also include 15 different Serbian municipalities. The fourth cycle of the project will be implemented in the 2024/25 school year.

We are looking forward to the new course participants, whom we will help improve their language skills, thus enabling them to participate in international projects successfully.