As part of a campaign to create awareness and to encourage people to take up English language learning opportunities, the English in Action (EIA) project has launched community fairs across the country.
EIA is a large-scale English language program funded by UK aid, and the country wide English in Action Fair program started on 28 September 2013 in 8 Upazilas of Barisal, Dhaka, Khulna and Sylhet. The series of fairs titled “Ananday Shiki Engreji - English in Action Mela” - will take place in a total of 37 Upazilas across the country.
Open for all, these fairs have information, education and entertainment booths to attract students, teachers, parents, farmers, shopkeepers, homemakers, boys and girls of all ages giving them exposure to EIA classrooms, BBC Janala lessons and English learning through games and drama, along with many other activities.
These fairs aim to reach all sections of the community providing people with a unique and unprecedented opportunity to experience and access learning English with EIA. The fairs will promote the message of English learning for all in easy and entertaining ways through the use of communicative language teaching, games, and mobile phones.
The fairs are being organised with the close collaboration of Upazila Education Offices under Directorate of Primary Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
“Coming here in this fair, I came across the ways how both teachers and children can learn English in a more joyful manner, with using few techniques the fears of learning English can be removed and that will make the classroom livelier”.- A primary school English teacher, attending the fair in Moulvibazar,Sylhet.
The Team Leader of English in Action, Mr. Johan Bentinck says:
The community fairs organised by English in Action aim to reach all those eager to learn English across Bangladesh. EIA is an innovative project and taking its exciting approach to learning and teaching English to the wider community around Bangladesh is important. I believe, English in Action fairs will create demand and interest in students, their parents, teachers and the wider community for English learning which is a life changing and much-needed skill.
Sarah Cooke, Country Representative for DFID Bangladesh, says:
The UK Government is committed to improving the lives of millions of people around Bangladesh through initiatives like English in Action, which is increasing people’s chances of finding work by learning English. The programme aims to reach millions of adults learners and train 75,000 primary and secondary school teachers and approximately 10 million students by 2017, using the most effective, interactive and innovative methods. These community fairs are a way for the community people to come and explore what value English can add to their lives.
The Community Fairs detail:
Date of Fair |
Upazila |
Division |
28 September 2013
|
Patuakhali Sadar, Bhola Sadar & Bauphal |
Barisal |
Nakla |
Dhaka |
|
Magura Sadar, Narail Sadar & Khulna Sadar |
Khulna |
|
Moulvibazar Sadar |
Sylhet |
|
29 September 2013 |
Fulpur |
Dhaka |
Sunamgonj Sadar |
Sylhet |
|
1 October 2013 |
Golachipa, Borhanuddin & Bakerganj |
Barisal |
Sherpur Sadar |
Dhaka |
|
Sreepur, Jessore Sadar, Dacope & Kamalganj |
Khulna |
|
2 October 2013 |
Singair |
Dhaka |
3 October 2013 |
Tahirpur |
Sylhet |
5 October 2013 |
Mirjaganj & Lalmohan |
Barisal |
Sribordi |
Dhaka |
|
Keshabpur & Fakirhat |
Khulna |
|
Kulaura |
Sylhet |
|
6 October 2013 |
Madaripur Sadar |
Barisal |
Manikganj Sadar |
Dhaka |
|
Shoilokupa |
Khulna |
|
7 October 2013 |
Sylhet Sadar |
Sylhet |
8 October 2013 |
Amtali & Charfession |
Barisal |
Jamalpur |
Dhaka |
|
Jhineda Sadar, Shyamnagar & Rampal |
Khulna |
|
Srimongol |
Sylhet |