The British Council began Friday a day of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of its work in Cuba, aimed at teaching English as a second language in the country's schools.

Havana, December 9 (Prensa Latina)-- The British Council began Friday a day of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of its work in Cuba, aimed at teaching English as a second language in the country's schools.

At a press conference, the director of the organization in the Caribbean nation, Minerva Rodriguez, recalled that in the beginnings of the entity on the island its work only focused on science, however, today it goes beyond the training of teachers and extends to areas such as support for young talents and musical and audiovisual projects.

She pointed out that the entity has strong working links with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, as well as with universities nationwide, in order to promote the training of teachers' skills.

The official pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic made necessary the use of virtual platforms and the adaptation of contents for teacher training.

In the cultural field, she highlighted the collaboration with the Cuban radio station Radio Taíno in a radio program that introduces young British musicians to the audience of the Caribbean nation.

For his part, the executive director of the British Council, Scott McDonald, said he was very proud of the work the organization has developed on the island.

"Our main working tools, in the hundred or so countries where we collaborate, are the teaching of English, education, art and culture," he said.

Macdonald explained that the goal in Cuba is to apply learning experiences from other nations, as well as to share the Caribbean nation's ideas with the world.

The director for the Americas, Helen Silvester, emphasized the importance of the English language in the training of young people, international trade and the implementation of negotiations and agreements.

She also praised the island's achievements in the training of teachers who teach the language.

Established in 1934, the British Council is a British non-governmental organization whose mission is to generate, promote and foster cultural and educational contacts between the United Kingdom and the hundred or so countries where it has offices.