Our Purpose

The International Learning Center (ILC) is a private educational enterprise, established in 1993 and registered with the Ministry of Justice. The purpose of the ILC
is to provide educational opportunities of the highest quality and in this way to promote progress and development in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The ILC English Language Program offers courses at six levels in which adults from various professions learn to speak conversational English from native speakers. Many of our students go on to find jobs with foreign and local companies, humanitarian organizations, government offices, and foreign embassies.

The ILC English Language Program enrolls over 200 students each semester, and has a long waiting list of applicants. The ILC will sometimes offer preferred placement to individuals who demonstrate a special need for proficiency in English in their profession. The ILC sometimes organizes English lessons for government offices, private firms, and humanitarian organizations by special arrangement.

The ILC Azerbaijani Language Program offers intensive courses at three levels for foreigners desiring to learn conversational Azerbaijani. Many of our teachers are qualified native speakers trained in communicative and interactive methods. The curriculum developed by the ILC incorporates explanation of structures (grammar) and essential functions with realistic and engaging dialogs. This curriculum has been revised and improved through continuous use in our course since 1997. The program's continuing popularity and proven results testify to its effectiveness.

The ILC invites American and European professionals to the Republic of Azerbaijan to offer seminars on a variety of topics at our own Center, and in the various faculties of local universities and institutes. Past topics have included: general economics, business management, ophthalmology, and psychology; while future seminar opportunities continue to be explored.

In addition to our educational endeavors, our Center has a strong interest in culture and the arts. In cooperation with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture, the ILC has promoted cultural awareness and understanding by hosting music groups from America to perform throughout the country. These and other cultural initiatives have always been well received and applauded by the Azerbaijani people. Our center offers lessons in Azerbaijani folk dancing, as well as organized presentations on the history of American popular music for Azerbaijanis, and lectures on understanding Azerbaijani culture and values for foreign nationals. In all of these cultural activities we seek to bring together the best from both Azerbaijan and abroad in order to enrich both foreigners and nationals living in Azerbaijan.

Over the years the ILC and its staff have been active in many kinds of humanitarian service, usually in partnership with other organizations. Most recently, our center has offered English courses in the SOS Children's Village, and in the #3 orphanage in the Khatai district of Baku. We have also promoted primary health care through instruction in basic dental hygiene, and helped coordinate construction projects in the Lankaran orphanage, with the funding of the International Women's Club.

At the ILC, we consider it a privilege to be working in Azerbaijan at this historic moment when an ancient people are reborn as a newly independent nation. We are full of hope that Azerbaijan will blossom and develop in the years ahead. It is an honor to serve as educators, entrusted with Azerbaijan's most valuable resource--her people..