Tuesday 29 October 2019

This is the first of the five new Learning Hubs which will expand our network of the already existing 13 English Clubs in Azerbaijan. The new learning hubs will be established in the IDP schools in Masazir, Zagatala, Tartar, Beylagan and Barda and will have all the necessary high-quality teaching and learning resources, technology, and self-study materials. The British Council has designed and developed the programme, with the funding from the UK Government. Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the British Embassy in Azerbaijan will support us in the implementation of this programme.

The Learning Hubs: Improved Skills for Stronger Societies is a three-year programme that will develop young people’s skills so that they can build confidence and have better access to educational and career pathways in the future. Learning Hubs programme will build upon the success of the British Council’s English Clubs initiative that took place between 2016-2019.

The launch event of the first Learning Hub this year will take place on 31 October 2019 at the Zangilan IDP community school #33 in Masazir, Azerbaijan. The opening ceremony will start at 12.00 and will be attended by the Minister of Education Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Baroness Nicholson, and Her Majesty’s Ambassador Mr. James Sharp.

Media representatives are kindly invited to attend this event. Please join us at 11.30 for a short media briefing. Mr. Summer Xia, Country Director of the British Council in Azerbaijan, says: “This is one of our flagship programmes in Azerbaijan. Our Learning Hubs will provide the young learners with an opportunity to engage in conversational English practice, as well as grow their leadership and soft skills which will equip them for competitive education and career pathways in the 21st century.”

Find out more: https://bit.ly/2MSKful

Over three years, 17,200 young people in the IDP communities of Azerbaijan will benefit through the improved English and core skills programmes incorporated through the formal teaching by over 600 trained teachers. In addition to the new Learning Hub locations, our programme already has existing hubs in Baku, Mushfigabad, Ganja and Lankaran.

For further information, please contact Khanim Teilova, Programme Coordinator, at: khanim.teilova@britishcouncil.org

Notes to Editor

The programme will focus on good English teaching, as well as increasing understanding of tolerance, mutuality and dialogue among young people and their communities. It will also develop critical thinking, problem solving, communication and debating skills, all whilst connecting the learners with the wider world. The participants will be able to engage with different viewpoints and opinions, analyse situations critically, and express their opinions.

The British Council will also work with teachers in these selected communities, using the UK’s experience and resources to help them develop their confidence, skills and knowledge. The programme will identify their needs, provide them with development opportunities, and prepare them to be able to use the innovative teaching resources and practices in their classrooms. Five new Teacher Activity Groups will be established to provide a platform so that teachers can come together to discuss new ideas, teaching practices and local needs. The teachers will be positioned to influence long-term positive change and contribute to their communities.

The British Council will support the building of cohesion and prosperity in the host communities by involving the participating young learners, teachers, parents, and leaders. They will come together to explore, discuss and celebrate the learning and development within the Learning Hubs and beyond.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

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