Nigeria – English Language Teacher Training & Resource Development - PRELIM 3
From 2022-2024, Edinburgh College worked with the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (ELTAN) in a resource development project for English Language Teachers in Nigeria. It was part of the wider English UK/IATEFL Partnered Remote Language Improvement (PRELIM) programme funded through the British Council.
Working closely with partners in Nigeria, Edinburgh College developed a suite of teaching resources aligned with the Nigerian National Curriculum and the English Studies schemes of work for the Junior Secondary age range (12-15). The resources were designed for use in diverse contexts, including those with limited access to resources or in well-equipped classrooms. Needs analysis, monitoring and evaluation processes were a crucial part of the project, designed to give diverse stakeholders opportunities to input on resource design, adaptation and dissemination. Additional training and resources were developed to support local teachers in creating materials that extend the project's impact. This approach provided a higher degree of ownership for local teachers to contribute to continuing professional development, resource creation, and support for peers in their teaching practices.
A cascade approach to dissemination was adopted, with resources and online training initially provided to a small group of ten proactive Mentor Teachers. This gave an overview of the resource package and the rationale behind those resources. It also provided input specific to both the reading and writing resources on familiarisation with tasks and on how to exploit, adapt, and create further resources. The Mentor Teacher group then facilitated wider dissemination and in-country training (in Port Harcourt, Abeokuta, Abuja, and Bauchi) for a larger group of 123 Ambassador Teachers, using a dual approach of teacher training and resource dissemination. Those Ambassador Teachers were then responsible for further dissemination within their local schools and government districts, particularly to reach early-career teachers and those not currently members of ELTAN.
The project has been most rewarding as it’s opened a new vista in the teaching and learning of listening and writing. It has created a new perspective in the teaching and learning process. The designed resources have also served as a sort of template for local teachers to leverage in designing more lessons that are not covered but are applicable to the local contextELTAN
