DILI, 09 january 2026 (TATOLI) – A total of 173 civil servants, selected from 823 applicants, will commence the English Language Training for ASEAN Accession (ELTAA) course from next week, 12 January 2026. The selected participants attended an induction session today, marking the official introduction to the program and its course structure.
The ELTA program aims to strengthen the English language proficiency of Timorese civil servants, enabling them to participate more effectively in ASEAN-related meetings and to contribute meaningfully to regional and international cooperation, following Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
The first phase of ELTA targets civil servants from line ministries and agencies responsible for the ASEAN Economic Pillar, which focuses on regional economic integration, trade, investment, industry, and broader economic cooperation among ASEAN Member States.
The 173 participants represent 16 line ministries and agencies under the ASEAN Economic Pillar, including: the Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Transport and Communications; Ministry of Commerce and Industry; the Authority for the Inspection and Supervision of Economic, Health and Food Activities (AIFAESA); Tradeinvest Timor-Leste; the National Mineral Authority; the National Petroleum Authority; Timor-Leste Quality Institute (IQTL); the Central Bank of Timor-Leste; the Tax Authority; the Customs Authority; the Ministry of Public Works; the Ministry of Tourism and Environment; the National Institute of Statistics; the National Telecommunications Authority; and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (MCAE).
The course will be delivered over a three-month period, comprising up to 120 hours of instruction through three learning streams: Regular, Intensive, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). In its first year, ELTAA aims to provide English language training to up to 300 Timorese public servants. The program is facilitated by the Lorosa’e English Language Institution (LELI), a professional English teaching institution in Timor-Leste.
ELTAA is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation’s Directorate General for ASEAN Affairs (MNEC – DAA), and the Civil Service Commission (SC with support from the Australian Government. This initiative forms part of Australia’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Timor-Leste’s institutional capacity and enhancing its regional engagement.
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