New writer on the block

Student Aysha Zaman has a way with words and has picked up her first literary prize for a minuscule masterpiece.

The 18-year-old from Hamad Town will now be helped towards achieving her dream of one day writing a novel by British Council tutors after winning a top prize in a regional short story competition.

Aysha, a first-year student studying for a diploma in information technology at the University of Bahrain, said: "I have always jotted down interesting things that have happened to me and some day I hope to write a book about life.

"I am so glad about winning the award. It has given me great confidence. Writing is the way I want to express myself."

Aysha says she enjoys reading Agatha Christie crime-thrillers and also likes photography, astronomy and listening to music.

She received her British Council and Zayed University (UAE)'s Extremely Short Story Competition (ESSC) prize during a recent book ceremony in Bahrain.

Aysha, a former Al A'ahd Al Zaher Secondary Girls School pupil, received first prize and a free English Course at the British Council for her 50-word story entitled Lessons about Life.

Haya Saad, from Hidd Intermediate Secondary, and Nada Nabi, from Sanabis Intermediate Girl's School, won electronic translators as runners-up.

In the contest, national students in countries across the Arabian Peninsula were invited to write a story in exactly 50 words on the theme of 'our memories, dreams and futures'.

The contest aimed to make writing English fun and to contribute to research. A book of the ESSC stories in this year's competition is now planned for publication.

Earlier, students attending 'English Clubs' in nearly 30 Bahrain schools, received a gift of nearly 300 new books to add to their libraries.

Sandra Hamrouni, British Council country director, presented the books to Shaikha Lulwa, the Ministry of Education's assistant undersecretary for curriculum and educational supervision, during a presentation at the British Council offices in Khamis attended by Latifa Mahmoud, the director of English curriculum, and over 13 teachers and head teachers from schools throughout Bahrain.

The donation includes story books for younger readers, classic literature in English for secondary school students and books to help teachers with English lessons.

Sandra Hamrouni said: "Reading stories is a great and fun way to learn English and burying yourself in a good book is a real treat.

"I know that 'English Clubs' are very popular in Bahrain schools so we were delighted to present these books to help students who are learning to read English. We have a long relationship with the Ministry of Education here in Bahrain, supporting the government in its education reform programme and this is just one small part of that support.

"We are working with the government to raise the standard of English teaching through running teacher training courses, giving the opportunity for Bahrain's education professionals to learn from acclaimed UK experts, providing support to teacher networks and resources to help those learning English."

A new range of online English language resources for students, parents and English teachers has also recently been launched.