1. Technology and English: A New Paradigm for Technology Education?
Frank Banks
The Open University

2. On March 8th 2008, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown:
"English in Action" - with the Government of Bangladesh would contribute to economic growth by improving the English language skills of 25 million Bangladeshis, helping them participate more effectively in business and international trade.’

3. The Purpose and Goal
To improve competence in English language throughout the population
English language as a tool for increased participation in the global economy
Economic empowerment and development

4. The EIA Project Funded by DfID for a 9 year period from May 2008
OU & BBC in consortium
Aims to have some impact on ~25 million people – children and adults, rural and urban

5. The Country Independence from Pakistan in 1971 ~ same area as UK
~98% speak Bangla
Delta of 3 rivers –
Most of Bangladesh is less than 12 metres (39 ft) above sea level
Rise in sea level of 1 metre would flood ~50% of the land
Very high population density
Urban population ~25%

6. The Infrastructure Challenges
Total Population = million
36% < $1 / day
83% < $2 / day
Many school-age children in work
~45% homes have an electricity supply
(Only ~31% in rural areas)

7. The Infrastructure Challenges
~23% of households have TV (urban) – radio coverage is also limited
Per 1,000 people:-
12 PCs
8 telephone landlines
2.6 Internet users
63 mobile subscribers (80% coverage)

8. River Community

9. School on River near Dhaka – Motivation?

10. Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programme (UCEP).

11. UCEP – Primary - Group Work

12. UCEP – Secondary- Electronics

13. UCEP – Secondary – Cotton Mill

14. Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee Secondary School (BRAC)

15. BRAC – Secondary School

16. Using Modern Technology to Teach English
Use of mobile and other technologies for:
State of the art mobile technology
Smart-phones
Media players
Mobile Classrooms – boats!

17. Using English to teach Technology
Ideas/Information for…
Issues – e.g. global warming
How things work
Impact on society
Material Resources…
Vocabulary
Instruction manuals
Group tasks

18. Content and Language Integrated Learning
A Research Agenda?

19. A Research Agenda?
Technological Literacy & pupil-pupil, pupil-teacher dialogue
What resources for Technological Literacy through English?
Support for English Teachers with Tech Ed?
Support for ‘Technology Teachers’ with English?