United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh

Empowering futures: Enhancing youth employability through English skills - a British Council and UNDP Future Nations collaboration

🗨️‘This initiative supports our broader goals of accelerating national economic growth. The programme not only bolsters job prospects within the national market but also plays a crucial role in the global digital employment sector, where over 650,000 registered tech freelancers in Bangladesh generate $100 million annually. As the digital economy transforms Bangladesh, the British Council's commitment to quality and innovation has proven essential in enhancing the employability of our youth.’ Stefan Liller - Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh

1,650

online learners in the 1st pilot cohort

80,000

potential online learners in the 2nd cohort

50

universities across Bangladesh during the pilot

'We look forward to deepening our collaboration, further enhancing youth skills, and contributing to the sustainable development of Bangladesh.'

Stefan Liller, Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh

'I highly recommend this course to those who are looking to develop their communication skills. I was preparing for my IELTS exam and after completing the course, my IELTS preparation has significantly improved. The easy learning journey while doing the course was helpful.'

Mahatab Azmain Refat National University

'Before taking this course, my English grammar was weak. This course helped me correct those issues, enriched my vocabulary, and enhanced my confidence in speaking English.'

Sakib Akondo Pundra University of Science and Technology

'This course has enriched my English vocabulary and developed my listening skill and making me feel more confident when talking in English and I felt no challenge when I was doing the course online.'

Mst. Jhoti Akter Pundra University of Science and Technology

A trusted, globally recognised English training provider
An impactful training solution to boost the English language skills and employability prospects of Bangladesh’s student population
A flexible, mobile-friendly programme accessible to students anywhere, from urban centres to remote areas.
A scalable solution with API integration to provide a user-friendly journey for 80,000 learners.

Reaching 80,000 learners, enhancing employability: English Online Self-study

To meet UNDP’s needs, British Council launched a fully flexible English self-study programme designed for learner independence and to develop communication skills relevant for the workplace.

Key features

Self-paced learning: Students progress at their own pace building essential communication skills for the workplace.
Comprehensive content: The programme focuses on social and business contexts developing all four language skills - speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Instant feedback: Learners benefit from automated feedback and a personal dashboard to track progress in real time.
Interactive sessions: Live 25 sessions provide opportunities to engage with teachers and peers, focusing on grammar and pronunciation for deeper understanding.
Globally recognised: Students receive British Council achievement badges.
Customised tech solution: Through close collaboration British Council and UNDP tech teams developed a single sign-on API to enable high scalability

This highly flexible and engaging programme provides students with the support and resources they need to enhance their English proficiency and confidently prepare for the workplace.

English Online: a trusted partner

Over 104,000 learners globally developed language and communication skills with English Online last year alone. With over 90 years’ experience of partnering with thousands of education institutions, corporate and government organisations in more than 80 countries, British Council understands diverse contexts and needs. As thought leaders in learning, communication and language skills, our expert content design teams ensure our English Online programmes achieve results and a positive impact for your organisation. Our global team of experienced, skilled teachers engages and motivates learners to succeed.

Futureproof careers. Partner with the British Council

Are you looking to prepare your students with the essential English communication skills needed to thrive in global career markets? Connect with us to discuss your needs and discover how we can tailor programmes to help your students succeed internationally. Let’s create a pathway to their future success together!