Sitting in a classroom, it is now possible to log onto the Internet and connect to a world of opportunities, as schools and students have been discovering recently. Interested in studying abroad? No problem, click to the web site of the university fo your liking and you’ll get all the relevant information you need. But not all of us can afford the expensive trip abroad, especially if you are planning on going to the UK. So what do we do? Of course, correspondence and online courses are an option. But for a more interactive experience, log onto to School Links http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-networks-school.htm. Now here’s a web site that serves as a bridge between two schools, one in Pakistan and the other in the UK. Of mutual benefit to both the institutions, the schools find a common ground and start working on a project in order to promote and facilitate the development of high quality reciprocal, inclusive and sustainable learning partnership.
Another site of similar aptitude is Montage Pakistan http://www.britishcouncil.org/montagepakistan.htm. Yet another British Council offering, this is part of a global web-based programme of curriculum projects that encourages international communication between young people in Pakistan and the UK.
It invigorates global communications, creates virtual communities, provides practical and educational activities and develops research, problem solving and communication skills. There are numerous projects on show here from schools all across the globe, including three from Pakistan. For more information about the site and its activities, the FAQ section makes it clear that this service is free of joining costs. Just send an e-mail and you will become a part of this programme.
Then there’s e-pals http://www.epals.com. Available in eight different languages, here you’ll find channels of interest for teachers, parents students and for those interested in Higher Education.
With over 4.5 million students and educators from around the world, connected to this site, you can engage in discussions, projects, learning and more in the world’s largest online classroom community. Language is no barrier as instant translation is quickly accessible.
There are moderated discussion boards and password-protected chatrooms through which you can help to contribute to international, multilingual, collaborative projects. The site also takes care in monitoring its e-mails to help keep inappropriate material from children.
But even if translations is at hand, in order to get in touch with the world you must be in control of your English. And for that, there’s Learn English http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/ a free site that helps one learn and practice your English online. Nothing’s formal here, no stick wielding teachers. In fact, the site describes itself as a ‘restaurant with a long menu of learning activities’. Yummy.
The site is divided into three sections: there’s LearnEnglish Central, English for everybody where you can come across games, cartoons history and e-cards. LearnEnglish Kids has English for children, their parents and teachers where there are poems stores and songs as well.
LearnEnglish zones are for working people who need English for business and other professional purposes. Currently it’s for military professionals, where one can encounter history and knowledge of military throughout the ages.
The site indeed has lots of fun activities and is entertaining in every way.
Another site in your bid for better English is Young Learners English http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-yle.htm. Here you are offered Young Learners English (YLE) Tests, prepared and presented by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). These are designed to test the English of primary learners (school going children) between the ages of 7 to 12, who are studying English as a Foreign Language.
There are of course sample papers, but sadly, when I clicked here, the Cambridge ESOL Online link wasn’t working. Other links include English Language Teaching, and University of Cambridge International Examinations.
Three different levels are available here, i.e. Starters, Movers and Flyers. The tests here are designed for children of all nationalities, whatever their first language and cultural background.
Well, enough of the staying in Pakistan and studying. Let’s talk about the tempting topic of going abroad. For that, one of the best links is the Government of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission http://www.hec.gov.pk/new2/.
A highly efficient web site, links here include Scholarships and Fellowships, Higher Educational Institutions, HEC Programs and HEC Departments. All links have their own set of sub-menus and just in case if you have any complaints or grievances against the working of the HEC, you can send an e-mail by clicking on the Complaints link. But mind you, the scholarships here are only for those with a Masters degree. And in some cases, one of those Executive MBAs aren’t entertained either.
Sitting in a classroom, it is now possible to log onto the Internet and connect to a world of opportunities, as schools and students have been discovering recently. Interested in studying abroad? No problem, click to the web site of the university fo your liking and you’ll get all the relevant information you need. But not all of us can afford the expensive trip abroad, especially if you are planning on going to the UK. So what do we do? Of course, correspondence and online courses are an option. But for a more interactive experience, log onto to School Links http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-networks-school.htm. Now here’s a web site that serves as a bridge between two schools, one in Pakistan and the other in the UK. Of mutual benefit to both the institutions, the schools find a common ground and start working on a project in order to promote and facilitate the development of high quality reciprocal, inclusive and sustainable learning partnership.
