On March 25, an event dedicated to youth engagement in the project "Overcoming Language Barriers" took place at the UN building in Mongolia. This project is funded by the UK government and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Mongolia. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
Among the attendees were Sima Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Minister of Education Naranbayar Purevsuren, UK Ambassador to Mongolia Fiona Blight, and representatives from UNICEF. The event gathered government officials, partners, educators, and students involved in the project. After the presentation of the project results, an interactive session took place where students could interact with officials.
During the annual political dialogue with the Prime Minister, Sima Malhotra emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation between Mongolia and the UK. She noted the progress in the implementation of the ambitious metro project in Ulaanbaatar, which will change the lives of local residents and serve as a benchmark for successful partnership. Additionally, she expressed satisfaction with the results of investments in education, particularly through the Chevening program, which has supported over 200 scholars since 1993, shaping a new generation of leaders.
The "Overcoming Language Barriers" project has enabled 739 English language teachers across Mongolia to enhance their skills and opened new opportunities for 140,000 students through English conversation clubs and digital devices.
English teacher Tuvshinmergen Batbold from Dundgovi noted: "For students from rural areas with limited resources, English teachers are not just instructors, but a bridge to the outside world. I am grateful to the project organizers for investing in us, which is passed from teachers to students."
Bakhtigul Altai, an English teacher from Bayan-Ölgii, added: "Many of my students are children of eagle hunters. Thank you to the British Embassy for proving that dreams can come true anywhere in the world with the right support, and that students can connect their cultures with the world."
Zeynep Armanbek, a student from the Sagsai sum, shared: "I come from a nomadic family closely connected to nature. The "Overcoming Language Barriers" project opened a new language and a new world for me, helping me become more open and curious."
Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, English will become a mandatory subject from the 3rd grade, highlighting the need for programs that enhance teachers' skills, as many of them have a language proficiency level below B1.
On December 30, 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed to implement the project "Overcoming Language Barriers: Reaching Socially Vulnerable Groups through English Language Teaching – II," which is carried out by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF with the support of the UK government.
The first phase of this initiative started in early 2025 and covered more than 320 English language teachers from the sums of the Bayan-Ölgii, Bayankhongor, and Sukhbaatar aimags, who underwent over 100 hours of training. 39% of participants significantly improved their language skills. More than 540 students also participated in 15 English conversation clubs, and 126 digital devices were provided to 26 schools, contributing to the creation of a digital learning environment.
The second phase of the project covers the aimags of Bulgan, Arkhangai, Khövsgöl, Khentii, and Dundgovi, aiming to enhance the language and pedagogical skills of more than 450 English language teachers and prepare new mentors.
