MoU Signing and Launch of #EnglishforChange

Thursday, 8 September 2016

Chennai

• To improve English learning needs of 30 underserved schools in Chennai and Kanchipuram

• #EnglishforChange consists of digital educational content that is 100% functional and mapped to the National curriculum framework of India

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 Kanchipuram. 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-Kanchipuram areas. District Governor RI District 3230, Rtn. Natarajan Nagoji said, “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. Janaka Pushpanathan, 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.”

Notes to Editor

About Unlearn

Unlearn is a unique learning and development advisory that empowers educators to teach better and helps students to learn better. Founded with the vision to create better teaching practice and to provide all learners an equal opportunity to learn, Unlearn focuses on three key aspects of teaching- learning; namely, a universal design for learning; making thinking visible inside classrooms to shape autonomous learners; to create equity and access by using technology as an enabler inside the classroom.

Unlearn currently engages with close to 2000 educators and 50,000 learners across India, in both the K-12 and Higher-Ed sectors. Some key projects include whole school transformation, school & college audit advisory services, learning and development programs for educational leadership and off-site residential institutes for 21st century leadership.

About RI District 3230

The Rotary Movement comprises of about 1.2 million members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in virtually every country. Rotarians serve selflessly guided by the motto, “Service Above Self”. RI District 3230 spans the five districts of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore & Tiruvannamalai and comprises about 147 Rotary clubs. Lauded for its path breaking service projects, highest membership acquisition & retention rates and for its generous contribution year on year to The Rotary Foundation (TRF), RI District 3230 is a forerunner and role model for many service institutions in the world. Rtn. Natarajan Nagoji is the District Governor of RI District 3230 for the Rotary year 2016-17. His vision is to make the Rotary clubs stronger and vibrant with fellowship, family participation and service to humanity.

About the British Council

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7,000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes. The British Council was established in India in 1948. The British Council is recognised across India for its network of 9 libraries and cultural centres. We offer a range of specialised projects in arts, education, exams, English language and society to audiences across India and more than 100,000 members. We also provide access to English language training and learning for both students and teachers, offer UK qualifications in India and enable opportunities to study in the UK.

Our English language teaching centres in Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata provide a range of general and business English classes, specialised skills based programmes and young learner courses. We work with a wide range of Indian partners in cities all over India enabling British and Indian experts to meet and collaborate and to nurture mutually beneficial relationships.