Context
The Secondary Teachers English Language Improvement Rwanda (STELIR) project is a collaborative initiative designed to boost the English language skills of lower secondary teachers in Rwanda. Delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by the British Council in association with the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), the project targets substantial improvements in teacher proficiency. By focusing on raising language standards to at least an intermediate level, STELIR seeks to create a strong foundation that directly benefits the entire education ecosystem.
TELT was commissioned to contribute to the larger project by designing materials for face-to-face intensive language improvement courses for secondary teachers. Three courses were developed:
- Adaptation of an existing A1 60-hour intensive course
- Development of an existing A2 30-hour intensive course
- Development of a new B1 30-hour intensive course
Implementation
Targeting sustainable change in the Rwandan education system, the materials were developed in line with the Rwanda Basic Education Board professional development curriculum. The courses were delivered by a cadre of local English Teacher Trainers (both face-to-face and e-Teacher/Moderators) tasked with delivering ongoing training, and training others to take on their roles. The materials and associated methodologies have been adopted and embedded in the pre-service teacher training courses at the University of Rwanda College of Education.
Impact
STELIR is committed to developing a robust cadre of local English teacher trainers—comprising both in-person instructors and online moderators—who can continue delivering high-quality professional development well beyond the project’s duration. This strategic approach not only elevates teacher performance in the short term but also lays the groundwork for systemic educational reform.