Context
The Sudan SMILE and EUR project (2022–2024) was a large-scale national curriculum reform initiative delivered in partnership with the Sudanese Ministry of Education and the British Council. The project addressed the need for a coherent, modernised English language curriculum across both school and higher education sectors. The Sudan Modern Integrated Learning of English (SMILE) programme aimed to provide a complete, structured learning journey from primary through to secondary education, while the English as a University Requirement (EUR) courses supported language development for undergraduate students. Together, these initiatives responded to systemic challenges in English language provision, including outdated materials, lack of consistency, and limited access to high-quality resources at scale.
Implementation
TELT was commissioned to review, edit, and proofread the full suite of SMILE materials, covering Grades 1–12 and ensuring alignment across all stages of the education system. This included a comprehensive package of resources at each level—Pupil’s Books, Teacher’s Books, audio materials, and supplementary resources such as posters, flashcards, and activity books. The work focused on improving clarity, consistency, and pedagogical effectiveness across all twelve levels, as well as extending the syllabus to include upper secondary grades. In parallel, TELT revised the EUR A2 and A2+ textbooks for university students, enhancing both student-facing and self-study components. The project required close collaboration with stakeholders and careful quality assurance to ensure materials were accessible, engaging, and suitable for large-scale national rollout.
Impact
The project delivered a unified and coherent English language curriculum reaching approximately 30,000 teachers and 15 million school students across Sudan, alongside around 300,000 university students. By standardising and improving the quality of materials across all levels, the initiative has the potential to significantly enhance English language proficiency nationwide. Teachers benefit from clearer guidance and structured resources, while learners gain access to more engaging and effective content throughout their educational journey. The scale and ambition of the project position it as a transformative intervention in Sudan’s education system, supporting long-term improvements in language learning outcomes and educational equity.
Materials from the SMILE Starter series (Grades 1–3) can be found here.