Please note that there are no current dates for contact seminars in 2008/09 and we are therefore no longer accepting applications to take part in the Connecting Classrooms UK Middle East project. Should you wish to be considered for any future contact seminars please register your interest by sending your full contact details to world.links@britishcouncil.org

Connecting Classrooms Middle East-UK presents new and exciting opportunities for schools and we appreciate that you will have questions about it. In addition to the information provided in our Guidance Notes, and elsewhere on the website, we hope that this selection of FAQs will be helpful.

If your particular question is not addressed here please Contact Us.

Is my school eligible?

In the UK this programme is open to middle and secondary schools in the state and private sectors which deliver a recognised UK curriculum.

As single-sex education is the norm in the participating Middle-East countries the involvement of single-sex UK institutions is very welcome, but such should apply jointly with a school which caters for the opposite gender and which would be an effective partner to the project.

Do I need to be able to speak a foreign language?

For UK participants Arabic competence is not a requirement. Middle East participants are not required to speak English, although some understanding would be desirable. Please indicate on your application form if you have working knowledge of these or other languages (e.g French) in case this could be relevant.

Contact seminars will be facilitated by staff from local British Council offices as well as UK staff and if significant communication issues are foreseen we will arrange for additional interpreter support. It is envisaged that the working language of the joint projects will be English, although UK schools where Arabic is taught may wish to develop this element.

What information is required to arrange travel to contact seminars?

You must give full and accurate details on your application form. This is to ensure that tickets and visas are issued correctly.

Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months after the return date. Please mention any special dietary or medical requirements you may have.

Who will organise my travel and accommodation?

Travel arrangements for UK participants in contact seminars will be made by the programme team in London. Arrangements for Middle East participants will be made by the supervising British Council project officer in their country. Local transport and accommodation related to the seminar will be handled by the hosting British Council office.

Can I extend my stay after participating in a contact seminar?

We regret that this is not possible. To ensure a consistent standard of service for all participants, it is not possible to tailor travel arrangements for individuals. Absence from school must also be kept to a minimum.

What emergency procedures are in place?

Contact seminars and other related activity will be planned and delivered with full reference to UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance and the expert local knowledge of our staff overseas. UK project staff will facilitate the seminars, which will benefit from the full support of staff from our offices in the region working in partnership with the relevant national ministries.

You are required to provide contact details of the person you would like us to contact in case of emergency. This information is then immediately accessible to us at the event, in the UK, and in the home countries of Middle East participants, should an emergency situation arise.

Can I choose which country to link with?

The selection panel will take into account the profile of your school and your proposed project when planning your attendance at a contact seminar. This will be in the interest of giving your school the best opportunity to find an appropriate partner. Any information included in your application will be considered, but it is strongly recommended that your school is flexible as to which country it might link with.

Can a family member or friend accompany me to the contact seminar?

We regret that this is not possible. Professional activity at the contact seminar will be intensive and you are also encouraged to socialise with other delegates in order to derive maximum benefit from the encounter. Seminars will always include other teachers from your own country and of your own gender, in addition to the overseas representatives.

Can primary schools participate?

This programme has been designed to impact upon pupils aged 11-14. Applications and project aims which demonstrably target this group will therefore be given priority. However projects may later extend to include younger pupils in the same school, or in associated primary centres.

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