SHILLONG: The U.S. Regional English Language Office (RELO) in India will support two English language specialists to train 120 secondary school teachers cum master trainers in Shillong over a period of three weeks as part of a collaborative endeavour with Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Meghalaya.
A statement issued by the Office of Public Affairs, US Consulate General, Kolkata, on Thursday said that during the visit of U.S. Consul General Helen LaFave to Meghalaya from September 15-18, she met top Education officials of the State to discuss the possibilities of collaborating with RELO for capacity building and strengthening of English Language teaching among Secondary school teachers.
The teachers’ training will focus on ways to integrate communicative language skill development using the current literature/reading-focused curriculum.
LaFave paid a visit to NEHU and addressed students on key elements in re-imagining the U.S.-India relationship focusing on educational partnership followed by a lively question and answer session.
In her remarks she highlighted that, “complementing India’s enhanced Look East Policy, the United States supports the vision of an Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor that can help bridge South and Southeast Asia – where the Indian and Pacific Oceans converge and where trade has thrived for centuries.
“The Northeast plays a significant role as the region that connects India with its neighbours in the East,” she said.
LaFave also visited the famed Mawphlang Sacred Grove and was struck by the rich bio-diversity of plants, flowering trees, orchids and butterflies and the preservation of the people’s rich cultural traditions. She also paid a visit to Smit village in East Khasi Hills.
During her stay in Shillong, she also made a courtesy call on Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
Earlier she met with a wide range of Meghalaya society members including government officials, civil society members, business leaders and students.
She began her trip by attending a meeting with local business leaders to discuss opportunities for greater economic ties in the State. The meeting was hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.
LaFave concluded her Meghalaya visit by hosting the alumni of different U.S. State Department funded exchange programs who briefed her on the rich traditions of Meghalaya and their future plan vis-à-vis the State.