Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education (PMI2): call for pilot project proposals
PMI2 - Call for pilot project proposals:
Professional Development for Non-native speaker Teachers of English: The Role of College Partnerships
Many international partners of UK FE colleges emphasize the importance of English language skills in equipping their students for the global marketplace. A lack of English can also present barriers to achievement for learners studying for UK qualifications in their own countries and for those undertaking courses at colleges in the UK. Even more significantly, national, provincial and regional governments in a number of the PMI2 target countries are prioritising English language learning for their resident population and some are seeking to expand their in-country facilities. Meanwhile, the progression of the concept and practice of ‘global English’ has implications both for the UK ELT market and at policy level.
The PMI2 Strategy Group therefore commissioned English UK (with support from AoC) to undertake to implement a piece of mapping and research focusing on how international college partnerships could provide opportunities for professional development for non-native speaker teachers of English. The exercise is being undertaken by Otravista consultancy (www.otravista.co.uk).
As a result of the issues and opportunities arising from this research, proposals are now invited from UK FE colleges or private language schools working with named international partners, to undertake pilot partnership projects which will explore innovatory approaches and models. FE Colleges and private schools as lead applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other UK institutions (including HEIs where appropriate), but single institutions meeting the general criteria are eligible to apply.
A total budget of £60,000 will be available to support up to four pilot projects. It is envisaged that, subject to the receipt of high quality proposals, one of the pilots will be led by a private language school. Full details of eligibility, thematic areas and criteria for proposals and the selection process as well as the proposal form can be found by visiting http://www.aoc.co.uk/en/Policy_and_Advisory_Work/aoc_international/funding_and_partnership_opportunities.cfm.
Proposals should be submitted on the proforma (available to dowload at the above mentioned AoC website) by email to otravistamail@yahoo.co.uk by 17.30 on 12 September 2008.
A hard copy signed by the Principals/Directors of all the UK partner insitutions involved and post-marked no later than 12 September 2008 should be posted to:
Otravista
c/o English UK
219 St John Street
London EC1V 4LY.
Please note that assessment and contracting will be carried out by the end of September 2008 and that all project activity must be completed by 31 March 2009.
