English Language Month 2015: ‘English opens doors’
English Language Month 2015 is a national campaign by British Council and British Embassy Tunis in November to promote the importance of languages and in particular better levels of English to improve the employability of young Tunisians. It follows the success of the first English Language Week in May 2014. This year, in partnership with a range of key Tunisian institutions, the campaign will reach a much larger public and include a wide range of activity- both digital and face to face in different cities around Tunisia and offering something for all Tunisians.
Significant contents include:
- New research findings reflecting the levels of English of Tunisian university students compared to the levels of English and soft skills that employers look for when recruiting;
- An international English Language Teaching conference will bring together representatives from the Ministries, Teacher Associations, teachers and learners to discuss the reform of English language teaching in Tunisia;
- Digital learning conferences and an employability event;
- Nation-wide competitions with prizes for all Tunisians to enter.
In parallel, the digital campaign will connect with large numbers of Tunisians through social media channels, websites and radio.
This campaign is aimed at all those interested in improving their English language and employability skills - especially young Tunisian students and those seeking jobs.
It is also an important opportunity for key stakeholders to discuss the reform of the teaching and learning of the English language in Tunisia to ensure young Tunisian have the English and soft skills required by employers.
Key aims:
- Increased awareness in Tunisia of the importance of learning languages and in particular English;
- A better awareness of the range of supports available for English learners and teachers and how to access them.
Key messages:
- Better levels of English can improve employability and ‘open doors’ of opportunity to more Tunisians;
- British Council and its’ partners offer something of everyone during this year’s English Language Month – from policy discussion forums to conferences and trainings or teachers and access to English resources for learners.
Key events and activity:
|
Digital activity |
|
| English Language Champions & Arabic Language Champions’ videos These are a series of short videos of Tunisians talking in English about how they use English in their lives. There will also be a series of short videos of British nationals speaking in Arabic about how they use Arabic in their lives. Launched last week of October and on-going digital campaign throughout November. | |
|
Key face to face events |
|
|
Saturday /Sunday 07-08 Nov |
‘Tunisia Speaks English’ International conference National English Language Teaching conference in partnership with 3 Teachers Associations. The Ministries will be invited and the focus is on creating recommendations for English language reform in Tunisia in education sectors. Hammamet, Saturday /Sunday 7-8th November. Open to all on application [www.britishcouncil.tn/en/events/tunisia-speaks-english] |
|
Tuesday 10 Nov |
Digital Tunisia 3.0 A one-day Tunisian- British conference for teachers, students and parents in Beja promoting digital access to English language with seminars from UK and Tunisia experts. Accompanied by a debate on language learning with technology by YAV. As ISLAIB (Jendouba University), Beja, Tuesday 10th November 10-3pm. Open to all on application [www.britishcouncil.tn/en/events/digital-english-tunisia-2015] |
|
Saturday 21 Nov |
Digital Tunisia 4.0 A one-day Tunisian- British conference for teachers, students and parents in Medenine promoting digital access to English language with seminars from UK and Tunisia experts. At CREFOC training center (MOE), Medenine, Saturday 21st November,10-1pm. Open to all on application [www.britishcouncil.tn/en/events/digital-english-tunisia-2015] |
|
Wednesday 11 Nov |
RTCI – British Council radio series Launch of a new national English language education reform discussion in partnership with RTCI radio. Each monthly programme will focus on how English is taught in each educational sector and what can be done to improve the levels of English. At RTCI, Wednesday 11th November, 2-3pm. |
|
Mondays 09 &16 & 23 Nov |
CV writing and interview skills workshops Free 3-hour workshops at the British Council for young Tunisians who want to be more prepared to get a job. Focus on CV writing and interview skills (in English) Universite Centrale / British Council, 10-1pm Open to all on application [include link to event page] |
|
Mondays 09 &16 & 23 Nov |
TKT Teacher training workshops Free 3-hour ‘Introduction to TKT’ workshops at the British Council for English teachers from all sectors interested in finding out more about this Cambridge ESOL teacher qualification. British Council, 10-1pm Open to all on application |
|
Competitions |
|
|
All month (once) |
‘My English’ national competition Open to all Tunisians, participants will need to submit a short paragraph by email on why they like English: ‘I like the English language because..’. Winning entries will be awarded tablets for digital access of English in the last week of November. Open to all on application Webquest competition Open to all Tunisians. Answer 5 simple questions about the British Council’s LearnEnglish website to win tablets. Open to all on application |
