British Council and Unlearn sign MoU with Rotary International to launch #EnglishforChange programme
* To improve English learning needs of 30 underserved schools in Chennai and Kancheepuram
* #EnglishforChange consists of digital educational content that is 100% functional and mapped to the National curriculum framework of India
Chennai, 08 September 2016: British Council and Unlearn signed an MoU with Rotary International to launch ‘#EnglishforChange' programme. The programme aims to improve the English learning needs of 30 underserved schools in Chennai and Kancheepuram. The project is aimed at touching the lives of thousands of teachers and students in underserved schools in India by enabling and exposing them to ‘English learning’.
#EnglishforChange consists of digital educational content that is 100% functional and mapped to the National curriculum framework of India. The content for this project has been curated by British Council based on - research into the learning needs of children studying in grades 6,7 and 8 and the language levels of children learning English as a second or a third language in vernacular medium schools across the country.
Ms. Mei-kwei Barker, Director, British Council South India said, “We are delighted to partner with Unlearn and Rotary International for the implementation of ‘#EnglishforChange’. We share a common vision to improve the English learning needs and create a sustainable livelihood for underserved students and teachers. Through this project, we hope to provide access to specialised English language skills amongst students and teachers from government/ government aided schools.”
In the current Rotary year, themed ‘Rotary Serving Humanity,’ RI District 3230, will be the CSR and service partner to take #EnglishforChange to underserved schools in the Chennai-Kancheepuram areas.District Governor RI District 3230, Rtn. Natarajan Nagojisaid, “In the complex 21st century, it is perhaps appropriate to say that the global language for employability is English; RI District 3230 is pleased to partner with British Council and Unlearn, to impart English language skills and learning to teachers and children in government schools. He added that the goal is to create a sustainable impact in a 100 schools over a period of three years and in year one, District 3230 will reach about 30 government/government aided schools.”
Unlearn, British Council’s strategic partner, will coach, mentor and implement the project #EnglishforChange in government and government aided schools. As British Council’s training and implementation associate, Unlearn will provide apt tools; master training of English teachers and teacher support materials to ensure that there is a smooth roll out of the programme in the schools. JanakaPushpanathan, Founder, Unlearn said, “Our earlier pilot with a school in Urapakkam, with support from Rotary Club of Madras East, has been quite encouraging. We are seeing a tangible shift in the teaching and learning process inside the school. We are delighted to partner with British Council and RI District 3230 to create meaningful impact on English language learning outcomes through#EnglishforChange.”
