Mexican Embassy Teams Up with UNAM, Fundacion Azteca America and Grupo Salinas to Offer ESL Classrooms in the U.S.

Mexican Embassy Teams Up with UNAM, Fundacion Azteca America and Grupo Salinas to Offer ESL Classrooms in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mexican Embassy in Washington and the Mexican Foreign Ministry announced today the nationwide launch of English- as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses throughout Mexico's network of 48 consular offices in the United States.

The project is being developed in conjunction with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Fundacion Azteca America and Grupo Salinas.

The first phase of the program includes courses offered by UNAM appointed ESL teachers with a proven "Survival English" 60-hour course plan, in the Mexican consular offices of Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Santa Ana.

The courses are designed to provide students with the basic language needed to face common, everyday situations encountered by non-English speakers living in the United States, as well as with a strong socio-cultural insight into various aspects of the U.S. that will enable them to deal with different situations while living in this country.

The first widespread stage of courses in the program will begin on March 15 and will expand the ongoing UNAM / Fundacion Azteca America pilot courses in San Antonio and Austin.

The second stage of the program will extend the courses to the entire network of Mexican Consulates in the United States. Each consular office will begin advertising them shortly. It is expected that the groups will be formed within the first half of the year.

"This initiative is an important tool that will enhance the political, economic and social empowerment of Mexican Americans and also enhance their civic engagement and successful integration into the fabric of the American mainstream," said Mexico's Ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukhan.

"The courses will engage students with authentic use of English through hands-on practice with native speakers, give students social-cultural insight into certain aspects of the U.S. and enable them to deal with situations encountered when living in the U.S.," said Mario Melgar, Director of UNAM-San Antonio.

"This is part of ongoing efforts of Fundacion Azteca America to support the Latino community in the United States," said Fundacion Azteca America President Luis J. Echarte. "It's in everyone's interest to have a community that is better educated, with access to higher-paying jobs."

The consular office classrooms program builds on a previously announced agreement between UNAM, Fundacion Azteca America and Grupo Salinas that will present televised ESL courses, scheduled to air before the second half of this year.

About the UNAM

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is the largest university in Latin America and the second-oldest in the Americas. It was also ranked as the top university in Latin America by the Times in a recent study. Distinguished UNAM alumni include three Nobel Laureates: Alfonso Garcia Robles (Peace), Octavio Paz (Literature) and Mario Molina (Chemistry).

About Fundacion Azteca America

Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community currently in the U.S.

For more information, visit http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org/.

Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and TV Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas

For more information, Visit http://www.aztecaamerica.com/corporate and http://www.gruposalinas.com/ .

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (http://www.gruposalinas.com/) is a group of dynamic, fast- growing and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to build the middle class of the countries where it operates, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies, TV Azteca (http://www.irtvazteca.com/), Azteca America (http://www.aztecaamerica.com/), Grupo Elektra (http://www.grupoelektra.com.mx/), Banco Azteca (http://www.bancoazteca.com.mx/), Afore Azteca (http://www.aforeazteca.com.mx/), Seguros Azteca (http://www.segurosazteca.com.mx/), and Grupo Iusacell (http://www.iusacell.com/).

Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

Grupo Salinas Press Contact:
Daniel McCosh
International Communications
(5255) 1720-0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mx

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Grupo Salinas; Fundacion Azteca America

CONTACT: Daniel McCosh, International Communications, Grupo Salinas,
+011-5255-1720-0059, dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mx

Web site:

http://www.aztecaamerica.com/
http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org/
http://www.gruposalinas.com/

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