On January 16, 2020, Khazar University held an opening ceremony of the CBELT project (Capacity Building of English Language Teachers) at Marble Hall, for 200 teachers from IDP schools of Baku and Sumgait.

Raziya Isayeva, Development Director at Khazar University, opened the ceremony with welcoming speech and delivered the presentation about the main aspects and purposes of the CBELT project, supported by the American Embassy to help 200 teachers and more than 12000 IDP students to improve their English Language skills competence.

Associate Professor Irada Khalilova, the Rector of the University, Professor Hamlet Isakhanli, the Founder of the University, Chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees, Mr. Richard Pinkham, Cultural Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy to Azerbaijan, Dr. Bahman Amani, Head of English Language and Literature Department, also made their greeting speeches.

Following the speeches, it was mentioned that ten experienced and previously trained instructors from the staff of the English Language and Literature Department of Khazar University are going to hold training sessions for teachers from IDP schools.

The training sessions consist of three core modules: Module 1 (Background to language learning and teaching) Module 2 (Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching) Module 3 (Managing the teaching and learning process). Among the main outcomes of these sessions are how English teachers at schools are able to develop professionally as experienced English language instructors, learn new strategies, methods and activities to improve English teaching skills.

At the end of the ceremony invited teachers from IDP schools passed their diagnostic tests to be divided into groups to start their training sessions from next week. Training classes will be held twice a week at a scheduled time within three months. After completing the program, they will be awarded a certificate.