Supply of Scholarships for English Language Teachers in India to the British Council

The intention of this scholarships programme is to offer fully funded scholarships for students from India to study online towards an MA in English Language Teaching with an emphasis on the use of technology or multilingualism or bilingualism in classrooms as detailed above. The main study course will include a two-week study visit to the university. The main activity will be coupled with a wraparound programme of alumni activity (facilitated by the British Council) to increase the chances of longer-term engagement and wider impact.

This programme will immediately impact the lives of a small number of individuals. There is clear evidence that with careful selection and support, recipients of scholarships can make important contributions to the future of the English language teaching sector in both countries.

The anticipated outcomes of this scholarship programme are therefore:
• Scholars from India have increased knowledge and understanding in the field of English language teaching, with particular focus on multilingual pedagogy and practice OR appropriate technologies to enhance teaching and learning. These individuals act as ambassadors for UK postgraduate education in this field, sharing positive experiences within their professional community. Equally, they bring their knowledge and experience from India and share this within the student community at the host universities.
• Longer term, these individuals support the development and improvement of English language teaching in their respective communities and ideally within the wider sector.

In particular this project aims to:
• Offer MA/MSc study opportunities through online mode in order to include individuals, provide flexibility and mitigate the challenge of taking long leave from the school.
• Ensure scholar selection will be based on an individual’s academic profile and on their professional capacity as an English language teaching practitioner in India – preferably within the government sector and on their demonstrated commitment to returning to this sector to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the MA.
• Enable individuals to promote and enhance the field of English language teaching and learning in India through their exposure to the UK’s expertise in this area.
• Ensure scholars create strong and lasting connections with the UK through active engagement in the alumni network.
• Provide a platform for the English language teaching professionals from India to contribute to the global body of knowledge and expertise and communities of practice.