‘English for Progress: Third Policy Dialogue’ – Dialogue – From Policy to Practice – British Council -18 Nov, to 20 Nov, 2009
A report by Prof (Dr) Shefali Bakshi
English for Progress: Third Policy Dialogue was held on 19 – 20 November, 2009 at Hyatt Regency Delhi. The Policy Dialogue focused on issues such as transforming the workforce for 2020, teacher education, methodology, role of assessment, implementing change and the future of English language education. The conference had speakers and delegates from India, Sri Lanka and the UK.
British Council’s Project English in India and Sri Lanka region is well on its way to achieving Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s vision of training 750,000 English teachers in the sub-continental region. This Dialogue captured vignettes of how work in teacher and trainer training with state and corporate sector has progressed apace in the last two years.
The most interesting sessions attended by Prof (Dr) Shefali Bakshi were: 1. English Next India: Policy Implications for English Teaching and Learning, A panel discussion on key issues raised by English Next India followed by questions from the floor. 2. Project English: Working with the Corporate Sector Ms Jill Coates, Head Corporate Training, Project English, British Council India
Part I – Transforming the Workforce for 2020: Challenges and Opportunities, Following which was the panel discussion on key priorities for the corporate world. 3. Transforming the Workforce for 2020: Barclays Partnership Case study on transforming the communication skills of the workforce. 4. Building Skills for Employability- What are the English and other skills deficits facing aspiring rural youth and how can they be addressed? Out of three parallel sessions Prof Shefali Bakshi attended 5. Innovations in testing, learning and recruitment in the corporate sector – How do we build a common framework of recruitment across the education and industry segments?
The second Day; 20th Nov’09- began with an introduction with the new Regional Director, Ms Ruth Gee, British Council India and Sri Lanka followed by 1.Project English: Working with the State Sector, An overview of the British Council’s work with state governments and NGOs in India and Sri Lanka. 2. From planning for change to seeing intended change in practice-Some key issues for change implementers by Dr Martin Wedell, Senior Lecturer and Director, International Development, School of Education, University of Leeds, UK. 3. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Round table discussions on the best ways to facilitate CPD in the Indian and Sri Lankan contexts. This was again one of the parallel sessions, in which Prof Shefali Bakshi asked some questions on the Professional Development of Teachers. 4. The Future of English Language Education: Methodological Choices-The panel will debate issues on medium of instruction, the role of the Mother tongue, multilingualism and related policies. 5. The Role of English in Conflict Transformation-How learning English can develop better understanding within conflict affected communities. Prof Bakshi then had to leave as it was time for her flight. She felt this was a life time experience to mingle with such varied educators from different worlds, be it industry or university.
The evening witnessed an informal chat with Mr Chetan Bhagat, Author of bestselling novels (latest being 2 States: The Story of my Marriage) interviewed by Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Head Project English, British Council, East India, followed by Dance/ music performance and Dinner.
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