Gapfillers help Iraqis learn language

LANGUAGE training services provider RLI Language Services has signed an agreement to provide English teaching to people in Iraq.

The company, based in Kirkby Fleetham, North Yorkshire, will work with the Iraq Economic Development Group (IEDG) through RLI’s e-learning site Gapfillers.

Bernadette Wall, RLI’s managing director, said: “The situation in Iraq is well known. The country has been at war for the past four years and has recognised that it needs to be more integrated with the international community.

“Iraq has limited resources and knowledge to teach its people English and it knows that this is vital if it is to start to build relationships again throughout the world.”

Ms Wall said she believed the demand for English training would continue to grow in the country and that the internet was the fastest way to learn English.

Gapfillers has previously been shortlisted for the British Council Innovation Award and has been a past runner-up at Venturefest.

Keith Stearman, managing director with SPS UK, a Yorkshire-based group of business advisers and mentors, has assisted RLI in developing the agreement with IEDG.

Ms Wall added: “Having started my career over 30 years ago working in Indonesia as a volunteer teacher, I am delighted that Gapfillers has been granted this excellent opportunity to help Iraq’s people and looking ahead, we can aim to provide this valuable service, not only in Iraq, but throughout the world.”