English and Inclusion Partnerships, within the scope of the Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) project, support international higher education collaborations with a focus on enhancing pre-service teacher training (PRESETT) in the higher education sector and inclusion in the PRESETT in Central Asia countries.

Grants are open to higher education institutions in the UK, to partner with higher education institutions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan.

Overall call objectives

English and Inclusion Partnerships aim to: 

• improve the practice of English language teaching in pre-service English teacher training institutions or dedicated departments in universities
• introduce innovative approaches to teaching and learning English at PRESETT level
• improve teachers’ capacities to teach the English language at the PRESETT level and join professional networks
• contribute to long-term and sustainable institutional change that promotes good quality English language teacher education
• generate new knowledge on barriers and facilitators to the participation of disadvantaged groups in PRESETT environments
• establish new partnerships around inclusion in PRESETT or expand existing ones
• develop policy recommendations for enabling inclusion in PRESETT
• propose mechanisms for strengthening capacity in teaching and learning in inclusive settings
• promote equal access to PRESETT.

Thematic context

Current pre-service teacher education programmes for English language teachers across the Central Asia region aim to meet the necessary teaching standards for consistent learner advancement at preschool, primary, and secondary levels. Recent studies demonstrate that English teachers need to carry out their jobs effectively because the knowledge base that prospective teachers acquire and develop through the Initial English Language Teacher Education (IELTE) programmes needs to correspond to what they need for effective teaching.

Moreover, Central Asian countries have in place national policies that demonstrate a change towards more inclusive education, particularly in higher education. To meet these agendas, advancements are needed in the admission procedures, quotas, and equal development of universities to address social, gender, and developmental gaps. Namely, inequalities in terms of access and completion of higher education need to be addressed systematically in line with good international practice.

English and Inclusion Partnerships aim to enhance pre-service teacher training (PRESETT) in the higher education sector and inclusion in the PRESETT in Central Asia countries. Within this context, grants will be provided to partnerships through proposals jointly submitted by a UK university (lead applicant) and at least one university in the partner country. The grant will be awarded to the UK institution, which will be responsible for the grant administration and overall project management of the collaboration. Grant actions should address both areas (PRESETT reform and Inclusion in PRESETT), with one of the areas being of primary focus.

Partnership activities

Partnership projects should improve pre-service teacher training (PRESETT) in the higher education sector. This involves the redesign and modernization of existing PRESETT programmes to align them with international standards and best practices in English language teaching. This may involve revising curriculum frameworks, updating course materials, and integrating innovative teaching methodologies.

Actions should also include inclusion in the PRESETT. The extent to which the sector of higher education is inclusive includes consideration of intersections of vulnerabilities based on gender, disability, urban/rural divide, and social and financial status.

Key details

Grant amount: up to £30,000

Grant length: five months, starting October/November 2024

Countries involved: UK lead institution, partnering with higher education institutions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.

Open to: higher education institutions

Clarification deadline: 9 September 2024 at 12.00 UK time (BST)

Application deadline: 30 September 2024 at 23.59 UK time (BST)