AUK’s Summer School, Marking a Significant Milestone

The Center for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) at the American University of Kurdistan has celebrated a major achievement with the launch of its largest cohort of students registered in their Summer School program. This year, 676 students enrolled, marking more than a 30% increase over enrollment in 2023. The curriculum is tailored for different age groups, 3 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 to 17.

The Young Learners Program, designed to unlock the potential of young minds and set the foundation for long-term success, utilizes top-tier educational resources, including Time Zone by National Geographic. One of the highlights of the curriculum is the inclusion of the TOEFL Junior test, where students assess their English proficiency and earn internationally recognized certificates.  Students also can elect from four specialized tracks: LanTrack, SciTrack, TechTrack, and InnoTrack. A key focus is teaching English in a way that not only imparts language skills but also instills essential life skills such as critical thinking, storytelling, presentation, problem-solving, and negotiation.  Additionally, students engage in various extracurricular activities, including sports, games, art, and friendly competitions, allowing them to practice their English skills.

At the end of the summer, students showcase their accomplishments at the Young Talents Event, present speeches on contemporary issues of concern, and participate in a spelling competition. At the Summer School Graduation, taking place in September, students celebrate their achievements with their families, friends, and teachers, and receive their certificates.

Testimonials from Participants:

“Before Summer School, I didn’t know how to speak English at all. I was very shy and didn’t like to talk in class. After joining Summer School in 2022, all that changed! I improved so much that I decided to rejoin in 2023. And now here I am, back in Summer School again in 2024! Why? Because I like to learn in fun ways. I love the activities in my class!”
— Rusel Salih, Summer School Student

“My daughter Talia was born in the US, but Maria wasn’t, so she did not know English. It’s only been two months since they’ve been in CAPA Summer School, but Maria has already caught up with Talia! They’ve started speaking in English at home, their confidence has improved, and they’re not shy to be on stage!”
— Mr. Saddiq, Father of Talia and Maria, Summer School