English Language Teaching at the Elementary Level

This Grant would support a US-Tunisia University Linkage aimed at creating and implementing a comprehensive multi-year young learner ELT program to support teaching and learning of English at Tunisian primary schools. The selected recipient will be responsible for implementing projects that take into account the local academic context, level assessment and available resources in order to undertake projects that include but are not limited to: Train teachers and Teachers’ Trainers: the selected recipient will be responsible for for developing a comprehensive university level program to develop, enhance and improve the teaching of English as a foreign language to young learners in the public schools. The American institution will provide workshops, videos, and manuals to train a corps of teacher trainers in the most effective ELT methodologies. The people that it subsequently trains will be sent to elementary schools all over Tunisia where they will observe EFL courses and advise on their improvement. Design a curriculum for teachers and learners of English at the primary schools in Tunisia. This curriculum needs to take into consideration the local academic context of Tunisia and previous young learner ELT programs. Design a text book for English teachers and students at Tunisian primary schools. By law, Tunisian schoolbooks must be produced locally. Therefore, the selected recipient will be responsible for working with and guiding Tunisian officials and ELT prominent figures towards the production of a comprehensive and appropriate text book.