In March 2010 British Council Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan presented new British Council products designed for teachers and students. British Council staff visited teachers from secondary schools and Universities in Aktobe, Astana, Karaganda, Kokshetau, and Tekeli, who gathered together to try the products and exchange their opinions on quality and relevance to the country.

Teachers were asked to listen to two BC radio programmes on the topics:

• Using group work in large classes
• Finding and creating resources

After listening to the radio programmes teachers completed feedback forms and participated in discussions led by the British Council employees Ardak Bekturova and Gulmira Rymbayeva.

After a short break teachers were required to read two newspaper articles from the Learn English Newspaper initiative.

• Holidays and Habits
• Acupuncture

They then shared their impressions using the feedback forms and in focus group discussions.

84 University and school teachers from 5 regions of Kazakhstan were interviewed and expressed their interest in the above products which are described in more detail below.

"Teaching English Radio" is a series of 12 radio programmes for teachers’ professional development each lasting about 15 minutes and ‘Learn English Newspaper' consists of newspaper articles for students of English covering 6 areas of interest: the UK Culture, General English, Family, etc.

Teachers found the content in both the radio programmes and the newspaper articles very useful and up-to-date. However they did voice a concern that in general, teachers in our country are not used to listening to serious radio programmes and subscribing to newspapers. They suggested having radio programmes recorded on CD and used at teacher training workshops. They also recommended using the `newspaper online’ option, backed up with the newspapers in booklet form for marginalised areas without internet.

Teachers’ valuable comments and suggestions from a wide range of countries will also be taken into account and undoubtedly, will contribute to the products’ improvement.

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