The SEC implements the project "Support for the reforms in the core curriculum, textbooks and national assessments for the English Language" together with the Institute of Education of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan through the "English Language Specialist" program supported by the US Embassy in Azerbaijan.
The three-phase project has the following objectives correspondingly:
- Phase I will cover review of the current English language curriculum and provide necessary recommendations, and consultancy on areas for improvement based on CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference);
- The purpose of Phase II (January, 2021) is to conduct an intensive training and consultancy program on planning textbooks (to be reviewed by SEC, in consultation with the Ministry of Education) with communicative speaking and writing teaching and testing materials of each grade for teachers to use with their students;
- Phase III (March, 2021) aims to develop training materials for the professional development of foreign language (English) teachers.
Specialists on the English language curriculum, textbooks, and assessment materials from the SEC, Ministry of Education, and Institute of Education have been involved in the online trainings implemented within the first phase of the project from August 24 to October 6. One of the main targeted goals - the local Foreign Language Curriculum review based on the CEFR, has been successfully completed and a draft document has been prepared to improve the current curriculum. At the moment, the process of reviewing the English textbooks has been going on.
It is noteworthy to mention that representatives of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan, Cultural Affairs Officer Richard Pinkham and Education Specialist Ramina Murshudova also attended the September 8 training session. The representatives exchanged their views on the project's expectations and English language teaching and learning, as well as the issues related to the next stage were discussed.
The project's trainer, Nathan Carr, is a professor of the California State University, and the expert of the project "Intensive Teacher Training and Consultancy" implemented by the SEC with the support of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan. Nathan Carr also contributed to the improvement of the SEC's undergraduate admission and Ph.D. exams.
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