Status: Current
Transforming English Language Skills in Higher Education in Pakistan
Launched in early 2012, The Open University’s most recent development project sees the Faculty of Education and Language Studies working in partnership with both the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and British Council in Pakistan to transform the use of the English language within higher education institutions across the country.
The project has two key audiences. Firstly, it will contribute to the professional development of lecturers teaching through the medium of English in Higher Education, and secondly it aims to enhance the use of the English language by students, both while studying but also while taking their first steps into graduate employment.
Running until February 2013, the project draws on the OU’s innovative teaching methodologies and has three key phases. It began with a comprehensive needs analysis to assess the use of English within both the HE and business sectors in the country, highlighting specific areas of need while also celebrating and sharing examples of best practice. Secondly, the programme will move on to develop four training modules, which will be authored by higher education experts within Pakistan and supported by the OpenELT (Open English Language Training) Unit at the OU, and will include rich, interactive and culturally sensitive curriculum content. Finally, a pilot roll-out will be implemented in collaboration with twelve Higher Education Institutions across the country, alongside a full measurement and evaluation programme.
Funded by the British Council in Pakistan, the project builds on the OU’s commitment to South Asia and its experience in delivering scalable and sustainable English language education and development programmes, such as the English in Action programme in Bangladesh.
