English Language Programs

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. 🇺🇸

In the hours before Artemis II astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, Chelsea Olsen led a cultural event for a group of teenagers and teachers-in-training in Argentina centered on this historical American accomplishment in space exploration. Together, the participants imagined they were a team of astronauts on the Artemis IV mission to the moon and created comics of the adventure while the live feed of the Artemis astronauts’ return to Earth was streamed. 🚀🧑‍🚀🌒