US Consulate Kolkata hosts English training for 20 WB govt school teachers

The participants came together in the American Center Kolkata for the two-week-long in-person training workshop, conducted by TESOL trainers from the U.S., Lisa Mann and Wendy Colson in Phase 2 of the training.

The 20 teachers are employed in government and government-aided schools across eight districts in West Bengal. 

The in-person training saw the teachers engaging in fun classroom activities and learning techniques which included art and craft, music, and skit – tools to empower teachers to use English for students to access higher education, enhance employment opportunities, and fulfil their dreams.

Today American Center Deputy Director James Moore handed over the participation certificates to the teachers in a closing ceremony.

This is the first time the U.S. Consulate Kolkata has directly worked with the West Bengal School Department on a training program to engage teachers who can share the learnings with their peers and implement the best practices in their classrooms.

Teachers represent some of the most remote districts of the state and some are traveling daily from as far as Kalna, Midnapore, Murshidabad, Sagar islands, and Birbhum.

James Moore said, “The TESOL Core Certificate Program is an intensive 140-hour, English language teacher training program.  Program participants will learn cutting-edge, research-based teaching strategies."

"Upon graduation, they will be better equipped to guide fellow teachers in creating student-centred, critical thinking classrooms that provide students with the English language proficiency and 21st-century skills envisioned by India’s National Education Policy,” he said.
 

Through these courses, the U.S. Embassy in India, and the U.S. Consulate Kolkata aim to support state governments in the professional development of a cohort of K-12 teachers who, in turn, can support the professional development of teachers in their state. 

This model has worked very successfully with the Government of the National Capital Territory of New Delhi, which now has a cohort of about 200 mentor teachers supporting 10,000 English teachers, who in turn enhance the English capacity of 2.2 million Delhi students.

The U.S. government funds English teacher education, language proficiency, and professional development programs through Regional English Language Offices at U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world.