The PRELIM teacher training project, pairing teaching associations throughout the world with UK training insitutions, is moving into a new phase. PRELIM 3 (Partnered Remote Language Improvement Project) opens for applications this week. Up to 20 partnerships will be created between English teacher associations around the world and language centres in the United Kingdom, working together to create resources designed specifically for teachers in the target country to use in their own classrooms with their students. The projects will run from January 2023 to March 2024, each with £15k funding from the British Council.
As the application document explains: "These might range from resources which support teachers to make the most effective use of the existing materials they are required to use by their local education authorities, to additional teaching and learning materials. The aim, therefore, is to enable teachers to make optimal use of their current materials and for those materials to be complemented sustainably - beyond the life of PRELIM 3 itself - with a range of easily disseminated context-appropriate resources and activities owned by association members."
Hear from the project partners: British Council, IATEFL, English UK and Nile
PRELIM is a partnership between the British Council, IATEFL and English UK, with support from ELT teacher training organisation Norwich Institute of Language Education (NILE).
Michael Connolly, Director of English Programmes at the British Council, said:
"We are delighted to invite English language educators from around the world to take part in this next phase of the PRELIM scheme. The first two phases of the programme have been a huge success among participants. UK-international partnership and innovation is at the heart of the initiative, and we know educators from the UK and overseas have found the exchange invaluable. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners, encouraging co-creation and mutual learning."
Jon Burton, chief executive of IATEFL said:
"Having PRELIM return for a third time is something I know many English language teaching associations across the globe will appreciate, the first two having produced such positive outcomes. IATEFL is delighted to be part of this initiative once again, and to help bring together English language teaching professionals from such a wide range of locations and circumstances."
Annie Wright, English UK's joint acting chief executive, said:
"We are very excited that PRELIM has evolved into longer-term projects with the opportunity to develop deeper relationships between the ELT centres and the overseas teachers' associations. Centres will relish this new challenge and also see it as fantastic CPD to create bespoke materials for teachers working in very different contexts to their own."
Thom Kiddle of NILE added:
"At NILE we are very excited to be able to continue as managing consultants for the third phase of PRELIM and support the UK institutes and global English Teacher Associations to develop their skills in new directions, still keeping teachers at the heart of each partnered project."
Creating bespoke resources for teachers to use in their classrooms
Where PRELIM 1 and 2 were aimed at improving the confidence of teachers working in English, PRELIM 3 will create bespoke packages to support them in their own classrooms considering their curriculum, class sizes, local teaching methods, available technology and so on.
"Where feasible, depending on the curriculum/grades the resources are supporting, an element exploring the cultural features of the local context and the local culture of the UKI home base," the application document says. Ways in which the partnership may develop include workshops, video presentations, online platforms and webinars, and mentor or buddy schemes.
IATEFL has sent out information about this exciting programme, and how to apply, to its global network of IATEFL Associate teaching associations, so check your inbox for information if you are a representative.
Useful links
- If your association isn't an IATEFL Associate you can get further information on joining our global network of non-profit teaching associations here: https://www.iatefl.org/get-involved/iatefl-associates
- Read reports on previous years' PRELIM projects here: https://www.iatefl.org/prelim-3