English-Medium Education in Low and Middle Income Contexts: Enabler or Barrier to Gender Equality?

This British Council/Open University partnership explores the role of English as an enabler or a barrier to gender equality in low and middle-income countries. Many low and middle-income countries increasingly use English as a language of learning and teaching instead of or in addition to one of the local languages. This raises questions about educational participation, attainment and inclusion, not least for girls, who are already marginalized and vulnerable to exclusion. The research combines cross-case with in-depth research in secondary schools in Nepal and Nigeria to explore the opportunities and challenges afforded to girls and boys by English.