This project seeks to improve the quality of English learning in 74 Nivasi Shalas operated by the Department of Social Justice (DOSJ) of Maharashtra for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class children. It employs structured audio and digital English courses and supplementary reading to help children of these schools improve their English listening comprehension, speaking and reading outcomes. Teachers are trained both to deliver these programmes and to improve their language and pedagogical skills. The programme is assessed through detailed baseline and end line studies.

A unique Interactive Radio Instruction course designed by CLR for government schools, and implemented across several districts in Maharashtra and select north Indian states like UP and Uttarakhand, called ‘We Learn English’ is provided to the schools to improve the students’ listening comprehension and speaking skills.

Similarly a digital course designed by CLR and piloted in PMC schools, ‘Let’s Read and Write English’, is provided to the schools to improve the students’ reading comprehension skills.   

Extra reading through a set of Graded Readers (GR) are made available in the classroom for children to read or for teachers to read to them.

The teachers’ lack of English language skills and of understanding of second language pedagogy are addressed through suitably designed capacity building programmes targeting both teachers and head-masters.
The programme combines workshop-based learning, effective monitoring of implementation and on-site mentoring of program participants.

CLR officers visit each school at least once in two months and coach the headmasters in effective ways of monitoring and supporting the teachers. They also coach the teachers directly. This ensures programme integrity and provides the headmasters feedback on their skills and effectiveness as mentors.

A unique Interactive Radio Instruction course designed by CLR for government schools, and implemented across several districts in Maharashtra and select north Indian states like UP and Uttarakhand, called ‘We Learn English’ is provided to the schools to improve the students’ listening comprehension and speaking skills.

Similarly a digital course designed by CLR and piloted in PMC schools, ‘Let’s Read and Write English’, is provided to the schools to improve the students’ reading comprehension skills.   

Extra reading through a set of Graded Readers (GR) are made available in the classroom for children to read or for teachers to read to them.

The teachers’ lack of English language skills and of understanding of second language pedagogy are addressed through suitably designed capacity building programmes targeting both teachers and head-masters.

The programme combines workshop-based learning, effective monitoring of implementation and on-site mentoring of program participants.

CLR officers visit each school at least once in two months and coach the headmasters in effectiveways of monitoring and supporting the teachers. They also coach the teachers directly. This ensures programme integrity and provides the headmasters feedback on their skills and effectiveness as mentors.