ISLAMABAD, July 24: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a major project, 'English Language Teaching Reforms' to strengthen English language teaching skills.

The commission has launched this programme to strengthen and upgrade English language teaching skills among English teachers of universities, colleges and institutions of high learning, said an official statement.

Dr Zarrin Siddiqui, director-general HEC and secretary of the group overseeing the programme, has recently unveiled this project.

She had been quoted as saying that the major portion of activities was targeted at faculty development area where a number of fellowships ranging from short-term courses to long- term programmes would be available for faculty at public-sector universities and degree colleges.

A major study has also been initiated with the collaboration of the British Council under the auspices of the HEC. The study aims at reorganizing the English Language teaching departments on a par with international English language teaching standards.

A secretariat will begin functioning soon at the HEC, Islamabad. Teachers from various degree colleges have appreciated the efforts of the commission at the launching of this project.

Zakia Sarwar, chairperson SPELT, said it was only 20 years ago that the Society for Promotion of English Language Teaching was started from the lecture hall of HEC and "today it is a moment of pleasure that a mega project is launched by the HEC for the teachers of ELT".