Francophone West Africa English in Education Pilots – Early Marketing Event and Expressions of Interest

Francophone West Africa English in Education Pilots (Procurement)

This is a prior information notice and request for expressions of interest only; the call for procurement will be conducted once the scope of work is fully defined.

The UK ELT sector is invited to support the FCO’s Africa strategy by working with the British Council to design and implement English language pilots in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali by 31 March 2019 as part of a new innovative programme to connect the UK to African youth and the future generation of leaders through English. The wider ‘English Connects’ programme in Africa aims to improve the quality of English language learning and teaching and facilitate digital literacy, particularly in Lusophone and Francophone countries, thus creating opportunities to enable young people to fulfil their potential while improving their employability, resilience and networks.

We plan pilots in each of the three countries (Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali), that have three main components:

1. Access to broadcast, digital and on and off-line English resources for young people (18-35 years)
2. Professional development for teachers along with strengthening of their communities of practice
3. Engagement with ministries of education and others on English language provision, with DFID and the FCO.

Please Note: the pilots are to be designed and implemented by 31 March 2019, which will mean a fast turnaround of bids, design in place by mid-December 2018 and implementation in January and February 2019.

The British Council is holding an Early Market Engagement event on Tuesday 6 November 2018, 11am-3pm, at the Hotel Park Plaza London Riverbank, 18 Albert Embankment, Lambeth, London SE1 7TJ, in which the findings of scoping visits conducted by the British Council will be disseminated and an appropriate UK response discussed. This will be a working lunch.

Further Information

Background

High rates of economic development, increased exposure to social media and a growing presence in ‘non-Anglophone’ countries of multinational companies that operate mainly in English have all contributed to a growing demand for English. With English skills young people become more employable.

The UK Government, through its Africa strategy, has placed a new importance on Francophone West Africa. It is seeking to uplift the UK’s presence and influence in the Sahel region and to support inclusive growth, trade and economic partnerships. Improved English language attainment across Francophone West Africa also promotes greater external investment and improved trade links with the UK.

The pilots are to be separate from, but mutually supportive of DFID education funding in the region targeted at providing a foundation level quality education and delivered through multilateral partners. Both programmes will support increased government spending on education across the region.

The English language is seen by African youth as one of the UK’s greatest soft power assets and is the main request made by governments/influencers across the Francophone region. Increased English attainment also affords urban youth better opportunities to connect to UK messaging and a greater exposure to UK soft power assets, amplifying UK messaging on Africa.

The aim is that through this programme we will also increase UK visibility across the region, improving UK access and becoming more ‘relevant’ to senior policy makers and influencers. By working together as ‘the UK’, we aim to maximise impact and influence in support of wider development objectives in the region.

Scoping

The British Council is currently conducting scoping visits in two of the three pilot countries (Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire) to:

1. determine young people’s English language learning needs and priorities
2. better understand how teacher-led communities of practice (CoPs) are currently organised and function
3. consult with Ministries of Education on current or proposed reforms to English language education

and will present initial findings at the Early Marketing Event on Tuesday 6 November in London.

Pilot Components

The pilots in each of the three countries (Senegal, Ivory Coast and Mali) will have three components or strands:

1. Access to broadcast, digital and on and off-line English resources for young people (aged 18-35)

The UK will expand opportunities for young people to learn English by promoting relevant quality digital resources: web-based content for learners who can go online, and offline formats for those with limited access to the internet. Printed materials, TV and radio broadcasts will be used to reach large audiences through the formation of local partnerships. English for employability will be a key focus.

2. Professional development for teachers along with strengthening their communities of practice

The UK will provide face-to-face and online/remote support for improved professional development in teacher-led communities of practice (CoPs). Online CoPs will be given relevant inputs via WhatsApp or Facebook groups together with capacity building through webinars; and face-to-face CoPs will be provided with blended learning materials along with follow up support by local partners. To ensure this works well, we will build on the British Council’s existing relationships with English Language Teacher Associations.

3. Engagement with ministries of education and others on English language provision, in conjunction with DFID and the FCO

Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) is also looking to expand UK networks in the education and skills space, consulting with Ministries of Education on ongoing or planned reforms to English language education in curriculum, pedagogy and/or assessment.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Piloting and ongoing monitoring and evaluation is required ensure that our interventions, which we aim to scale in the pilot countries and extend to other non-Anglophone countries in years two and three, are feasible, value for money, impactful and sustainable. This pilot year will also enable us to establish a baseline.