PM unveils VoIP language training initiative
Gordon Brown has unveiled plans to harness the benefits of voice over IP(VoIP) technology in a drive to make English the "world's common language of choice".
The prime minister announced that the British Council will set up a 'teach yourself English' website, which, through the use of online communications, would allow people in other countries to benefit from one-on-one language tuition with 'master trainers'.
In addition, the British Council will undertake a large-scale recruitment drive in India, where up to 750,000 language trainer jobs will be outsourced to.
The initiative comes as the Chinese government has ruled that English will be compulsory in all schools from the age of six, with the prime minister confirming that the Chinese market will be the original target for the scheme. "With more teachers, with more courses, more websites and now a deal involving the publishing media and communications industries, we will open up English to new countries and new generations," he said.
He added that he also hopes to persuade an increased number of telephone and telecommunications providers to make more English lessons available through online.
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