The British Council’s global ambition for English states that ‘every teacher and learner of English in the world will have access to the skills, ideas and materials that they need from the U.K’. To meet this ambitious target, the British Council, through its flagship initiative, Project English, has been developing mutually beneficial partnerships with key stakeholders in the government, corporate sector, academic institutions and NGOs in India and Sri Lanka. This collaboration has been for course materials, trainings, resources for professional development of teachers/ trainers and, last but not the least, workshops and policy dialogues.
In 2007, the British Council organised the First Policy Dialogue in Chennai and followed-up the next year in Kolkatta (view conference highlights). The primary aim of the Policy Dialogues has been to provide stakeholders with a platform for sharing models of best practice, knowledge and experience in English language learning and teaching. This year, the conversation will continue at the Third Policy Dialogue in November 2009 at New Delhi.
ENGLISH IN INDIA AND SRI LANKA: THE CONTEXT
Recent research in India and Sri Lanka indicates that, despite being home to sizable pool of English speaking population, the region is confronted with a massive language skill gap. This is indicated by the fact that demand for competent English speaking manpower continues to outstrip supply and that large portion of the graduate pool lacks English communicative fluency and interpersonal skills. This, in-turn, is limiting the ability of the industry and services sector to find professionals with skills required for modern-day working.
The silver lining is that in recent years, increased awareness, and subsequent government initiatives, is beginning to have an impact on English language teaching in the region. The British Council, with its global expertise in English language, teaching, training and research, aims to facilitate the reform process through partnership and deliberation with key stakeholders.
The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our privacy and copyright statements.
Our commitment to freedom of information. Double-click for pop-up dictionary.
Open the original version of this page.
Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.