The director of the ILI met with Antonio Sanchez Benedito Gaspar, the Spanish ambassador to Iran to establish cooperation and enhance interactions.
The Public Relations and International Affairs Office of Iran Language Institute reported that at the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Mahdi Zolfaghari welcomed the Spanish ambassador and expressed his condolences regarding the recent flood in Spain. He noted that the incident has resulted in significant damage and loss of life in the country.
He introduced the ILI as the oldest language-teaching institution in the Middle East, stating that its hundred years of history provide us with valuable experiences.
He presented a report on the activities of the ILI, highlighting that we operate in 31 provinces and 305 educational centers, with over 5,000 skilled teachers in the field. Our training programs are offered both in-person and online, making the ILI the largest online training center in the country. Additionally, more than 1,200,000 language learners receive training at the ILI each year. Our educational platform extends from the capital to villages in all regions of the country.
The head of the Iran Language Institute announced that over two thousand individuals in the country learn Spanish each year, making it the largest group of Spanish learners in Iran and even within a single educational center. With the resources and capacity established in our organization, we aim to enhance the teaching of Spanish throughout the country.
He emphasized that language learners at our institute are trained from childhood through adulthood, and unlike universities, we do not impose an age limit. Furthermore, thanks to our collaborations with other educational centers, we are the largest organizer of the DELE exam in Iran.
Dr. Zolfaghari expressed his satisfaction with the solidarity among nations regarding their thoughts and ideas. He noted that this sense of closeness has made it easier to organize this meeting. Additionally, he stated that they are ready to establish new courses at the ILI, as long as the necessary educational infrastructure is in place, including qualified teachers and adequate educational resources.
The director of the Iran Language Institute spoke about the enrollment of language learners interested in studying Spanish. He stated that English is the most in-demand language among our audience, followed by Spanish and German. This demand reflects the scientific and educational policies that cater to our audience's needs. The market potential for our learners is crucial for the development of new languages. Additionally, government policies and support for language development in Iran can significantly enhance interest in learning these languages.
During this meeting, the director of the ILI outlined the expectations for the provision of current scientific resources and the training of teachers for advanced Spanish language courses.
He also mentioned that you could assist in this process using the authorities you represent on behalf of the Spanish government and Cervantes.
About the international tests conducted for children and young adults at the ILI, he stated that the successful implementation of these tests, which have been well-received by language learners, highlights the importance of teaching Spanish in Iran from a young age. This interest is also evident among families. Our perspective on the Spanish language is developmental, and it presents a great opportunity for us to foster greater interaction.
Dr. Zolfaghari emphasized the importance of last year's approval by the Supreme Council of Education, which allows non-English languages to be taught in schools by the ILI. He noted that there are over 15 million students in Iran who could potentially benefit from this initiative. Dr. Zolfaghari expressed hope that, with the cooperation of the Spanish government and the Cervantes Institute, we can secure resources to support this project and to organize the teaching of the Spanish language in Iranian schools.
During this meeting, Antonio Sanchez Benedito Gaspar expressed his satisfaction with attending the ILI. He said, "I am very excited about the statistics you presented. Although I knew that the ILI is a large institution, being here has shown me that it is much bigger than I had heard."
Regarding the disaster in Valencia, he mentioned that these days many Iranians have sent messages of sympathy, highlighting the hospitality of the Iranian people, which I recognized upon my arrival in this country.
He stated, "I have been serving as the Spanish ambassador to Iran for five months. During this brief time, I have gained insights into the potential for bilateral relations between our two countries in various fields. Iran and Spain have historically maintained a strong relationship, and there is great potential to further strengthen this bond."
The Spanish Ambassador commented on the cooperation between the Iran Language Institute and the Cervantes Institute, stating that the ILI is the only center with which the Cervantes Institute collaborates. He emphasized that the most significant Spanish language certification is issued by this center, highlighting the institute's recognition of the importance and scale of the ILI's activities. On behalf of the Cervantes Institute, he expressed his commitment to enhancing cooperation and addressing any issues that may arise.
During the meeting held on Monday, November 4, in the office of the director of the ILI, the following individuals were present: Dr. Mostafa Mirzaei, Deputy for Education; Dr. Yasser Zanganeh, Director of Education; Farzaneh Fathinezhad, Head of the Spanish Department; and Leila Majidi.