AY 2007-2008 Projects - Africa

Country                       Madagascar
City                              Antananarivo
Host Institution           Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research

Project Description
The EL Fellow will work at the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research to continue the successful groundbreaking work that the preceding EL Fellow has undertaken and also continue the ongoing teacher training with the curriculum development team for the English in Primary Teachers. In concert with the Ministry's curriculum development team, the EL Fellow will establish the program of English for grade 5 following the example of the grade 4 curriculum developed by the former EL Fellow. Now that the experimental basis is no longer confined to the initial 42 pilot schools, the next phase of the program will be to reinforce the nationwide implementation of the newly established curriculum in the elementary schools throughout the country. 

Project Objectives
One year ago, the President of Madagascar proclaimed English to be the third official language of Madagascar. However, very little English is spoken in the country. This started an avalanche of people requesting English teaching and it spurred the government to take action to improve capacity to teach English in schools. The primary curriculum is being developed as true foundation. In a country with predominantly francophone speakers, English teaching has proven to be one mechanism for positive contact with people from the Anglophone world, which does not only reinforce mutual understanding but also helps open new markets for economic growth and development. Support for English teaching provides strong support for Madagascar's economic development by increasing ability to interact with the larger world economy and in particular with the potential Anglophone trading partners.  

About the Host Institution