Learn English at any phase in life
Speakers at a conference yesterday stressed the need for improving English language skills at any phase of life, taking into consideration its significance for personal and professional development.
While learning any language adds a feather to one's cap, English is much needed for its global importance, they told the conference at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.
The day-long conference was organised by “English in Action” (EIA), a project under the guidance of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and funded by UKaid, to celebrate its decade-long journey in Bangladesh.
Divided into two sessions, the conference shed light on the necessity of learning English. A number of teachers from across the country shared their personal experiences.
The 10-year education programme aimed to develop economic and social prospects of people in Bangladesh by improving their communicative English since 2008, said the organisers.
Alongside over 53,000 primary- and secondary-level teachers, numerous adults received training under the project. It has covered 19,500 schools from 245 upazilas across the country, said Sue Williamson, team leader of EIA.
Speaking as the chief guest, Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman said teachers who have been trained under the project have to continue teaching English at schools and communities for developing the language skills among children.
He also stressed the need for learning the mother language.
Shurma Begum, a teacher at Dhamrai Girls High School in Dhaka district, said although she had been teaching for over 15 years, her English skill was weak.
“But training provided under the project helped me develop my skills; now I can speak in English fluently and teach students the language,” she said.
Mollah Jalal Uddin, additional secretary of education ministry, said the government has made significant progress in the education sector while there are a lot of areas to improve.
Jim McAlpine, deputy country head, Department of International Development of the UK government, among others, spoke at the conference.
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