The British Council offers a wide range of UK qualifications in India including a variety of English language tests and exams.  Of course if you decide to offer these exams in your school, institute, college or company then you need to ensure that your teachers and trainers are well-equipped so that they can prepare your students effectively.  

That’s where we come in!

The Teacher Support Programmes (TSP) is designed to develop your teachers’ skills and ability to train your students.

What are the aims of Teacher Support Programmes?

These programmes aim to give your teachers the necessary skills to prepare and train their students.  Each 3-day programme will aim to:

• familiarise teachers with the exam content and the skills students need to develop in order to be successful in the exam
• develop teachers awareness of English language teaching methodology in the areas relevant to each exam
• improve teachers ability to find, develop and use resources they already have to develop their students’ skills
• equip them with a ready-made bank of ideas and activities they can use to start preparing their students

Typically each TSP will have the following eight core modules depending on the exam you are planning to offer:

1. Exam Familiarisation 2. Teaching Listening 3. Teaching Reading 4. Teaching Writing

5. Teaching Speaking 6. Teaching Language 7. Exam Tips 8. Lesson Planning and/or     Materials Development

Additional modules may be added for the specific needs of your group of teachers.

What are the benefits of offering these qualifications in our colleges, schools or institutes?

• All candidates who take one of our English language exams get a certificate or an award from the highly prestigious Cambridge University.
• These qualifications are internationally recognised.  Students take the same exams all over the world whether they are in China, France, Japan or India!
• English language exams offered by Cambridge all test the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking and are based on real world and meaningful language use.
• Your students and teachers will have the opportunity to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
• Your school, college or institute can benchmark your students to ensure minimum English language standards.

Is a three day programme enough?

In three days we aim to give your teachers an overview of these areas but also to build their skills so they can continue developing on their own.  We will also ensure that they know where to find more resources and materials and we will be the point of contact for any further questions they may have.

Who is eligible for a Teacher Support Programme?

These programmes are offered to schools, colleges and organizations who have already registered candidates for these exams, or who have made these exams part of their curriculum.  Contact your nearest British Council or British Library to find out if you are eligible to send your teachers.  All participants will be asked to complete a needs analysis and application form so we can assess their skills and knowledge and ensure that only those teachers we feel would benefit from the programme attend.

How much do they cost?

From April 1 2006 all programmes will cost Rs 1,500 per participant.  This fee includes:

• Pre-course needs analysis and application form screening
• TSP course book and supplementary materials
• 21 hours of training
• Set of resource materials for each educational institute or organisation

We ask you to provide the training venue and lunch and tea/coffee for the trainer and participants if the British Council or British Library is not convenient for your teachers to reach.

Usually we ask for a minimum number of 15 participants and a maximum of 20 participants for each training programme.  

When and where will they be held?

We will schedule TSPs at mutually convenient dates but we recommend that they are held at least 8 – 12 weeks before the exam date.  This will ensure that your teachers have plenty of time to prepare your students before they take the exam.  We can offer TSPs in cities across India which have a British Council office or British Library but we may ask you to provide the venue if the office is not available.  If you live in a city without a British Council office or British Library, then please contact your nearest office to see if we can make any alternative arrangements.

Who will train our teachers?

Our TSPs will be conducted by trained British Council trainers who will be monitored and assessed by the British Council to ensure that quality standards are met.  

Will you give us any more support?

Yes, we will offer an annual one day TSP Refresher to nominated participants providing they are still working at your educational institute or company.  This will be organised at a mutually convenient date and again in your premises if the British Council or British Library is not convenient.  If required, we can also give a presentation to parents about the benefits of these qualifications.

Who should I contact if I want to know more?

Contact your nearest British Council office for more details.