Drawing on baseline research in 8 countries, a symposium involving decision makers from across the region identified research and capacity building as top priorities in transforming the teaching of English in primary schools.

Client, stakeholders, partners

• Ministries of Education (MOEs)
• Regional education authorities

Focus
Developing English Language Teaching in state sector primary schools

The project
Drawing on baseline research in 8 countries, a symposium involving decision makers from across the region identified research and capacity building as top priorities in transforming the teaching of English in primary schools.

The British Council then brought in a UK consultant who, with the support of an advisory committee of regional ELT experts, developed an innovative long-term 180-hour trainer training programme to create a cadre of 250 expert trainers of Primary English teachers. Local British Council offices worked with MOEs to identify these trainers and to develop appropriate delivery mechanisms.

The first two-week course, Phase 1 of the programme, enabled the trainers to deliver workshops to local teachers with the support of Master Trainers and in the future they will deliver integrated courses in support of MOEs' plans, reaching 70,000 teachers over the course of the project.

At the same time consultants led teams of local researchers in various countries to explore regional issues such as In-service Training for Primary English Teachers, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Primary East Asian Contexts, and Primary & Information Communications Technology, information which fed into a second regional symposium in Bangkok.

This project exemplifies how the British Council can help countries which share common needs in English language teaching to work together, drawing on and sharing local and British expertise, to produce excellent results.

What the stakeholders say
"In large classes, teachers in Vietnam find it difficult to engage students through child-centred learning. My teachers found this workshop very helpful, relevant and interesting and is a good start for our project."
Nguyen Tho Thuy Anh, Department of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City.

"I think this is the most successful meeting of creative output I've been invited to!"
Dr Marlu Vilches, Philippines on the Trainer-training regional course design meeting.

"I have gained a better understanding of regional issues and concerns and commonalities and am beginning to understand how different countries can support each other".
Singapore delegate at regional symposium

"This was the most fruitful and productive event I have ever attended...I got a lot of valuable input which inspired me to think about an action plan."
Vietnam delegate at regional symposium

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