English as a form of capital in Azerbaijan
31 March 2008 at 13:27 Ai Li 2 comments
On Sunday, I had the privilege of spending time with an Azeri woman over lunch and walking around Baku. For the record, I am female. I met Ulviyya on a bus a few days ago when I saw her reading English vocabulary from a dictionary that was falling apart to pieces and started talking to her. We parted shortly after but before doing so, Ulviyya jumped on the opportunity to practice her spoken English. She took down my mobile number and invited me to lunch on Sunday.
Throughout the few hours we spent together, I was incredible impressed at how diligent Ulviyya was at asking for definitions of words she didn’t understand, taking notes, and referring to what’s left of her Azerbaijani-English dictionary to express words she struggled with. I felt more and more embarrassed at how little effort I am putting into learning Azeri in comparison to her!
After lunch, Ulviyya took me to a place in the city where there were vendors selling English instruction books. We selected a few but the availability of affordable books was very scarce. She had already read almost all books at the level below her current ability. Ulviyya tells me that she would like to improve her English so that she can be confident of applying for and getting a job as a geologist at BP, where the salary is much higher but fluency in English is mandatory.
I am humbled upon realizing how hard Azerbaijanis at every level of society strive to better their lives. Some opt to borrow from microfinance organizations to expand their businesses while others increase their human capital by learning English.
Entry filed under: Azerbaijan, Norwegian Microcredit LLC (Normicro). Tags: Ai Li Ang, Azerbaijan, Normicro, Norwegian Microcredit.
1. JR Beall | 1 April 2008 at 12:41
We had an exchange student from Azerbaijan in 2006. She is now living in Baku and has very good English as well as Russian and Turkish. She was a FLEX student and a delightful young woman. She made the National Honor society in our high school. She is now married and needs a job. If anyone can help in this regard, please contact me for her name and cell.
Thank you
2. Atialla Raman | 1 April 2008 at 04:54
Al-Li, I am wondering what the hell you get acquianted with a girl in the bus with the pretext of English learner.It would be better if you focus on your work in Norwegian Micro instead of meeting and seducing girls unless you don’t want to get reported to the Normicro’s management.