Cambridge Assessment English (CAE) and the government for Andhra Pradesh, a state in south-eastern India, have collaborated to launch an English Language proficiency scheme to promote development in the language in the area.

CAE told Varsity that the scheme involves English training for 12,378 teachers and around 200,000 students across 2,110 municipal schools in the state.

Having originally planned to deliver 200 hours of in-person ongoing teacher training a month, in preparation for a Linguaskill English Test, 50% of the training has been delivered virtually due to the pandemic.

Linguaskill is an online English test by CAE that uses artificial intelligence to accurately examine English language skills. It provides results in alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the international standard for assessing language ability.

Cambridge University Press is also involved in the scheme and provides learning content for participants of the proficiency scheme through its Interchange course. 

In January, according to CAE, almost 8,000 teachers had already completed a 30-day training programme and passed a Linguaskill assessment. They anticipate that 4,000 participating teachers will take the test this month. Meanwhile, 85.8% of the participating teachers moved up a CEFR level on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages.

14 self-access resource centres, also known as 'language labs', will be set up to deliver resources and digital content in the following districts across Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada, Guntur, Ongole, Tirupati, Vishakapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry, Anantapur, Kadapa, Pulivendula, Kurnool, Eluru and Nellore. 

The labs will provide a centre of learning for upskilling teachers on a regular basis and also distribute resources to students.

The Logical Indian reported last month that the municipal department in Andhra Pradesh would furnish the infrastructure required, with CAE offering the training programmes free of charge under its Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.

TK Arunachalam, Regional Director for India at Cambridge Assessment English, told Varsity that CAE’s decision to get involved in the scheme was due to “the benefits [such projects] bring to society and peoples’ lives through raising English language standards [...] English competency remains a key skill that opens up huge opportunities for students in India and the rest of the world and getting this right in schools starts with successful teacher training.”

Arunachalam also clarified that efforts have been made to preserve the cultural heritage of Telugu, the official language of Andhra Pradesh.

“The state government’s goal to transform Telugu medium schools into English language schools will equally offer students the possibility to access the benefits of multilingualism. Our research in this area highlights the importance of striking a balance between developing English language skills whilst maintaining cultural heritage and the co-existence of other languages”, he added.

CAE also referenced further projects in which it is involved in India, including its Corporation of Chennai project launched in 2013, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with universities in Madhya Pradesh in 2019, teaching English to disadvantaged primary students in Pune, a city in the western state of Maharashtra, and a proficiency project in the state of Gujarat.

CAE told Varsity that its support is based on the current programme, but that it will consider extending the support provided in the scheme “if it is successful.”