This British Council-managed project was launched following a request from the Russian authorities for help with improving the effectiveness of the in-service training system for English teachers.

Client, stakeholders, partners

• Local Educational Authorities in Russia
• In-service teacher training Institutions
• Lancaster University, UK
• University of Warwick, UK 

Focus
In-service teacher training: a new model

The project
This British Council-managed project was launched following a request from the Russian authorities for help with improving the effectiveness of the in-service training system for English teachers.

The project aim was to introduce a new approach to in-service teacher training which would cater for the practical needs of teachers, equip them with the skills to introduce communicative and competence-based English language teaching in their classrooms and give them the skills for continuous professional development.

The project model was designed by Russian ELT professionals in one region, Krasnoyarsk, with the help of the Institute for English Language Education (IELE), Lancaster University. It was later disseminated to eleven more regions.

The project achieved the following outcomes:

• a multifunctional INSETT programme, operational in 12 regions
• a network of local regional teachers' associations established
• a network of highly professional ELT teams, recognised by the regional educational authorities, established, with the capacity to steer further innovations
• a successful INSETT model that was disseminated to other parts of Russia, and other subject areas.
• more effective and stimulating teaching and learning, involving an active, learner-centred approach, emphasising communication, thinking skills, and cooperative learning.

2,000 teachers went through this comprehensive face-to-face teacher training programme, which meant that at least 200,000 students benefited. At least another 17,000 teachers benefited from extensions of the programme, or activities of teachers' associations.

What the stakeholders say

• From a review of the ELT projects in Russia, 2006 (C.Walter, R.West, R.Millrood):
  "The Rector of the in-service teacher training institute of Krasnoyarsk stated confidently and unbidden that the fact that the national exam results were 6% higher than any other region's was directly attributable to the fact that 70% of the teachers in Krasnoyarsk city and 50% of the teachers in the region have participated in the INSETT programmes. The whole Krasnoyarsk INSETT institute has adopted a project approach as a result of the experience with the Council's INSETT project."
  
• From teachers, participants in the INSETT programme:
  "The programme played a great role in my further professional development and in my career. I feel the desire to change myself, my teaching, to change people around me and the whole world". (Omsk)
• "It's the programme which gave me new self-esteem. People say that my vision changed after I completed the course." (Samara)

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