Lead Consultant: Preschool English language curriculum

about the project

Research has shown the added value of quality education at pre-primary stage to later student achievements. At the same time, there has been an ever-growing demand to ensure that children leave school with a mastery of English, which is seen as the international language of communication, and a key to social and economic improvement (please see this document).

In Serbia, reform of pre-school education has been strongly focused on improving preschool infrastructure and increasing involvement of children from disadvantaged families in preschool learning. As a result of introduction of a mandatory preparatory pre-school grade, more than 90 percent of children in Serbia attend preschool at least at this stage. However, provision of early school acquisition of English language and other 21st century skills is uneven and there is still no unified curricula offered across Serbia. In larger urban areas English language is provided in preschools based on demand, i.e. if parents are interested and willing to pay for additional classes.

The British Council will support the Serbia’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MoESTD) in piloting an English language curriculum for children attending preparatory preschool grade (age 5.5 – 6.5). Lessons learnt will inform policy dialogue in the country aiming at integrating a specialised education programme for English language in the reformed preschool curricula.

This consultancy is  part of the British Council’s support to MoESTD. 

about the role

The British Council is seeking a Lead Consultant /Curriculum Developer who will, in cooperation with the British Council and other stakeholders, take the lead in developing an English language curriculum for the preparatory pre-school level in Serbia. 

The Lead Consultant is expected to  design a curriculum that can be implemented during the full school year and an abridged/adapted version that could be piloted in 14 weeks. The pilot version should have all the characteristics of the full curriculum. 

Lead Consultant should use primarily, but not exclusively, existing British Council materials and resources that are available online, such as LearnEnglish Kids or other available in hard copies. 

Task to be carried out:

• Scoping visit to Serbia with the aim of exploring the current situation in Serbian pre-school education (a continuation of a desk research), English language programmes and curriculum in both private and state schools
• Development of English language curriculum suitable for preschoolers aged 5.5-6.5, based primarily but not exclusively on existing British Council materials and resources
• Adaptation of the developed English language curriculum suitable for a 14 week pilot
• Development or adaptation of necessary materials for learners for both full curriculum and the pilot
• Development of teacher book/manual and necessary materials for teachers for both full curriculum and the pilot
• Development of Teacher Training programme and necessary accompanying materials
• Delivery of a 2-day Train the trainer programme for teachers delivering the curriculum and the pilot

Deliverables:

• English language curriculum for preschoolers aged 5.5-6.5, created, reviewed and accepted by the project board
• Necessary materials for learners developed and/or adapted 
• Teachers’ handbooks/manuals and teaching materials related to the curriculum delivery created
• Teacher training programme (2-day workshop) on how to deliver the curriculum and training materials.

Qualifications and experience 

Essential

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the design and development of English language curricula preferably for very young learners
• Good knowledge of British Council content and resources for young learners
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively with project members in various locations and from multiple organisations, including remote writing
• Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches 
• Willingness and ability to travel to conduct assessments and gather primary data. 

Desirable

• An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in ELT/Education/TESOL
• Knowledge of local education context in Serbia and/or Western Balkans countries

Please note: the Lead Consultant is expected to closely work with Local Consultant to ensure alignment of the proposed curriculum to the local educational standards and requirements.

For the full Terms of reference, please scroll down and download.

Please send your CV and your fee rate to kristijan.rajkovic@britishcouncil.org with the title: Lead Consultant for Curriculum Development Serbia.

Please note, we can only respond to successful applicants within five working days of the application deadline.