Page 13 - ELG2005 May Issue 470

BUSINESS NEWS . NEWS
British Council partners US Kazakhstan course
Matt Salusbury talks to Ben Gray about the British Council’s English for Journalists course
Why did the US Embassy choose the
British Council as a partner on this
course?
he British Council was selected
through a tendering process due to
our reputation in Kazakhstan as a
Tleading authority on ELT, our track
record of delivering English and education
projects throughout the country and our great
network of university partners.
Then, of course, the British Council has
been involved in a number of similar
programmes. Several years ago, in Sudan, for
example, I ran an English for an Open
Society Programme, funded by the UK
Embassy, which primarily focused on teaching
English to journalists. In Azerbaijan in 2011-
17 we ran a professional development
programme funded by a local bank, which
trained about 50 journalists in total.
The Kazhakstan programme is funded by Astronauts Scott Kelly (USA), Gennady Padalka (Russia) and Mikhail Korni (Russia)
the US, and the contract is run through the greeting the press at Baikonur, Kazakhstan – the international launch site is an
Friends of the British Council – the example of the need for journalists to have a good grasp of English
American charity that represents the British
Council. It is, however, in line with the UK’s
strategy of encouraging the development of English.
prosperous and stable societies in Central A number of senior US State Department
FREE
Digital Subscription
Go to www.elgaze琀e.com/subscribe
and register for your free online subscrip琀on
12
Asia, as well as encouraging the uptake of
we have started early discussions on an
expansion of the programme.
How does it fit in with Kazakh
The government has a policy of promoting English for Journalists
government policy?
the use of English in the secondary and
higher education sectors, and its overall aim
is to develop a trilingual society in which By Ben Gray
people can speak and operate in Kazakh,
Russian and English. The British Council course is an ongoing blended learning programme in which
Most journalists will write in Russian, English language training is delivered to groups of Kazakhstani journalists in eight
although there are many Kazakh language cities throughout Kazakhstan.
SERGEY RUSANOV/SHUTTERSTOCK news outlets. Most will also be reliant on The face-to-face programme is delivered to classes of up to 15 journalists, two
Russian-language news sites and similar to three times weekly, by suitably-qualified local teachers.The British Council is
information sources for their content. So, our responsible for planning and timetabling the courses, organising the venues,
programme is about supporting the procuring materials, quality assuring the training, and selecting, supporting and
development of a trilingual society and managing the teachers. Group levels range from absolute beginners to upper-
helping to boost media plurality. intermediate.
Journalists also complete a curated online course, English for Journalism,
What are the language aims? custom-designed by the University of Pennsylvania with input from the British
That depends on the language level of the Council Kazakhstan team and other in-country stakeholders. This is integrated
journalists. We run courses for beginners into the course, and teachers guide and support the students in completing the
through to advanced, with students grouped modules.
according to level. Practising journalists from across all media are sent to study on the programme
For low-level students, we aim to give through the British Council. They need to commit to studying for the whole
them the skills to access English language programme, to explain how learning English will benefit them professionally and
sources by the end of the course. For higher- to have the written support of their employers.
level students, we work with them on The course aims to give them the ability to access international English
interviewing people in English and writing or language news and information sources, reducing their current reliance on
reporting using English. There is a focus on Russian language media and helping them to access a range of different ideas
tasks and exercises that are similar to how and viewpoints.
they are likely to use English for their work. It also enables them to communicate with non-Russian or non-Kazakh speaking
figures have visited the training centres, and Overall, however, the aim is to give contacts, and raises their awareness of western professional standards.
journalists the confidence and skills to access The first British Council English for Journalists course in Kazakhstan finished in
a range of English language sources, in a the summer of 2018, and to date more than 600 journalists have passed through
range of formats. So, there is also a focus on the programme. The courses are ongoing and the aim is to continue them,
using multiple sources, fact-checking and subject to continued funding.
understanding that different media outlets At end of March the British Council switched to delivering the English for
have different perspectives. Journalists courses online in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
One challenge we are working on is the
fact that many English news sites now have a
paywall which means that most of the
supplementary materials are taken from just BRITISH COUNCIL
two or three sources (such as The Guardian
newspaper and the BBC) and so we are
looking – with the US embassy – at paying
for access for a selection of sites.
Who are the trainers?
They are all local teachers of English. In
Almaty and Nur-Sultan (the capital, formerly
called Astana) they are Celta-qualified, with
a minimum of three years’ experience.
Outside Almaty we deliver the courses in
partnership with local universities who
nominate the teachers, and then we
interview and select them.
British Council, via specialist courses,
They are all trained and supported by the
organised on an annual basis, which focus on
helping them in making their lessons
appropriate for the journalists’ needs. Journalists on the British Council Kazakhstan course
Cutting Edge series, but teachers are trained reviewing, as there is a relatively high drop- measures in place to maximise attendance.
The programme is based around the
The journalists are very much a mixed
to adapt and supplement the content. There
is ongoing support, including lesson out rate for an English course – although group. They come from TV, radio and
actually quite low for a continuing education
observations and one-to-one consultations course. Internet outlets – along with traditional
by the British Council Academic Manager. Journalists are required to commit to newspapers. Motivation is high and almost all
attending 60 per cent of the course, lessons understand the importance of English.
What is the course structure? are held in the mornings or evenings and
It’s a six-month course, three classes a week. their employers have to approve of their Ben Gray is British Council Head of
The course format is something we are participation – so there are a number of Partnerships for Central Asia.
May 2020 editorial@elgazette.com 13