This year's English in Schools programme concluded yesterday through a daylong training at a Rajshahi city hotel where the 52 participating teachers of some 26 Natore, Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj schools urged its continuation in the coming years.

Explaining the ways the programme benefitted them, the teachers also sought reintroduction of a written test assessing students' skills in general grammar, writing complete sentences and comprehensions and ability to listen.

They also urged increasing the number of complimentary copies of The Daily Star the newspaper provides to schools.

The Daily Star and Robi Axiata Ltd jointly completed organising the training for English teachers of secondary schools in four divisions through grammatical and communicative exercises to stimulate English language learning among students.

A page of the newspaper has been dedicated every week for the programme.

Yesterday, many teachers said the programme gave them confidence in imparting lessons and to speak in English inside classrooms. Students were learning to work in groups and were getting better grades, they added.

It provided a scope for interactions with renowned schools and learn about the country and the world, said Tanjina Shirin of Natore Government Girls School.

The programme allayed fears over giving lessons on communicative English, introduced in the new curriculum, she said.

During the training, teachers presented posters prepared by students showing their engagement. Some of those were pasted on the walls of the training venue.

In the training, the teachers were demonstrated different techniques to inspire and engage students in regular classes.

Mohammad Jahidul Islam, regional manager of Robi Axiata Limited, attended as the special guest and Rajshahi District Education Officer Rofiqul Islam also spoke.

Shireen Hasan, founder executive director, X-cel, Institute of Interactive Learning, conducted the training with herteam.