ABA - Associação Brasil América

ABA was founded in 1988 . Its mission is to contribute to the personal and professional development of its membership, in innovative, productive and enjoyable ways,through educational, linguistic and cultural activities. ABA´s 18 years of outstanding community service have made it known as much more than an English-language-teaching organization.

It promotes cultural and educational exchange through English courses for adults, teens, and children and holds cultural events, courses and seminars for professionals, scholarship programs, Portuguese as a second Language, translation services and membership programs for U.S. alumni.

In 1995 the U.S. Embassy (Brasília,D.F) awarded ABA a Certificate of Excellence in Quality of Teaching and Cultural Events. That attests to the high standards of ABA teachers` performance as well as to the variety of relevant services provided to the ABA-using community. ABA takes pride in being the only organization in Pernambuco State to have received such distinction.

ABA is a complex of six centers, with state-of-the-art facilities designed for optimal teaching and learning . Each Center is described below:

ELTC (English Learning and Teaching Center) - Consists of three systems (ABA KIDS, ABA TEENS and ABA ADULTS), which offer regular courses (beginning and advanced levels) and specialized courses,as well as a Teacher Education Program and preparatory courses for persons who need to take international exams and tests in English.

IRC(Information Resource Center) - Consists of the Region`s largest libraries(printed and video materials ) .Its facilities include Internet-linked computers, DVD-equipped TV sets, Reading rooms, recorders and CD-players, as well as a space especially set aside for children.

ABA Exchange - This is the best-equipped Official Information Center in Pernambuco State on Study in the United States, especially on scholarships and courses in universities, English language programs, short-term courses for professionals abroad and exchange programs for teenagers.

International Exams %u2013 ABA administers English Language Proficiency examinations required by universities abroad ,as well as international tests for assessing professional competence.

Business Center - This is a fully-equipped infrastructure, with facilities for courses, Lectures, videoconferencing, seminars ,workshops and other kinds of meetings , sponsored by ABA or by local companies that rent ABA´s auditoriums and other facilities.

Cultural Center - Brazilian and American cultural events take place in this Center. Varied arts are presented/performed: music, dance,theater,literary and artistic contests for both the ABA community and guests. ABA also boasts an Art Gallery where works by local artists are displayed in monthly exhibits.

ABA is linked to a world system of over 100 Binational Centers and it has made important partnerships so as to enhance its educational and cultural activities. Among such distinguished partners are : the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, Apple Computers, the University of Michigan, The Fulbright Commission, Creative Education Foundation, Educational Testing Service, World Future Society, American Chamber of Commerce, ASTD.