TKT is an accredited course designed by Cambridge University and taught in Jeddah by the British Council. It is a combination of English language teaching and examination work. The women’s center moved last September to the Farsi Center and provides the same services as the men’s section.
However, what makes the graduates of this course somehow special is that they are not only students but also mothers and working women.
Dedicating their time and efforts to study, these women are aiming for a better future. The British Council chose International Women’s Day to hand out the course certificates and highlight their hard work.
“We are celebrating Women’s International Day, most women are working, studying and also fulfilling their family responsibilities at the same time. So it’s not easy,” said Helen Glenn, a senior teacher at the British Council.
Commenting on International Women’s Day and the potential of Saudi women, Glenn said they are very impressed with students at the women’s center. “They study very hard, have the ability and potential, and also manage their time well. Most of them not only study here but also have fulltime jobs and families to take care of. To come here to get qualifications is an effort. We chose International Women’s Day to recognize women’s academic achievements. We thought International Women’s Day is the perfect day to do that,” she explained.
TKT courses are for people who have teaching experiences. At the moment there is no practical part of the course but in April, Cambridge will introduce a new module, which will include the practical part.
Sameera Saeed, a KG teacher at an international school, is one of the graduates of the TKT course. “It really helped to sharpen my skills. I think Saudi Arabia should celebrate International Women’s Day and women here deserve to celebrate it especially because of the hardships they go through,” she said.
Mai Gad is another TKT certificate holder. She said she is still in the beginning of her teaching career and took the course to learn more teaching skills.
Gad said she had never heard about International Women’s Day before.
