Expanding educational opportunities in Ghana: bilingualism and biliteracy for young learners
English for the Complementary Education Program
A two-month introduction to English for graduates of EQUALL’s Complementary Education Program (CEP), who had learned to read in their own languages, focused on basic English proficiency for formal school. CEP English builds oral English but also uses pupils’ first language literacy skills to introduce written English. A design team in Ghana worked with CAL staff to complete the course and prepare audio and print materials for teaching and learning.
CEP English has connections to the formal school curriculum and builds on CEP curriculum topics. The program includes eight units of five lessons that are topically related to a theme. Each lesson includes the topic, a lesson-relevant song, learning objectives, new vocabulary, listening and speaking activities, shared writing and reading activities, and review activities. Following this routine each day makes teaching and learning easy.
The CEP English materials include cassette tapes, a teacher’s guide, and large and small picture vocabulary cards for the teacher and learners. Pupils complete vocabulary cards, charts, graphic organizers, notes, letters, and other written products including short books. They make geometric shapes. They learn strategies for vocabulary development to help them continue to learn English vocabulary when the program ends. View a sample lesson. 
Following training of facilitators, EQUALL implemented CEP English on a pilot basis and revised the course.
