English Language Fellow Alumna, Karen Francis, Launches English for Industry Practicum Course to Equip Jamaica’s Teachers with Research-Supported English Instruction
- Empress Zaria
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 26
English Language Fellow alumna Karen Francis, President of the Haile Selassie I MetaVersity, has launched a pioneering program—the English for Industry Practicum Course—designed to transform English instruction in Jamaica. The course blends cutting-edge pedagogy with industry relevance, equipping teachers with the tools they need to prepare students for success in both academic and professional environments.
From Global Experience to Local Impact
Karen’s expertise stems from her tenure as a U.S. Department of State English Language Fellow, where she served in Yaoundé, Cameroon (2022–2023). Her fellowship included leading professional development workshops, introducing blended learning technologies, and presenting her action research at the Technology Enhanced Language Learning Conference in 2023.
Now back in the Caribbean, Karen is channeling this wealth of experience into initiatives that directly benefit Jamaica’s teachers and, by extension, its students. “My mission has always been to ensure that English instruction is not only rooted in strong research,” she explains, “but also aligned with the realities of the workplace and the demands of a global economy.”
The Practicum is designed as a hybrid learning experience, combining online modules, live workshops, and hands-on teaching practice. Teachers gain access to strategies for:
Research-supported English instruction via Online Professional English Network
Project-Based Learning (PBL) techniques that encourage students to apply language in real-world scenarios.
Blended learning technologies that enhance classroom engagement.
Industry-relevant communication skills, ensuring learners are equipped for careers in IT, AI, business, and beyond.
By including internships with partners like Fiverr, the course bridges the gap between theory and practice, preparing teachers to guide students in developing both language proficiency and career readiness.
Building Pathways from Classroom to Career
One of the program’s unique features is its connection to the HSIM Internship Network. Students who complete certifications in fields like Artificial Intelligence, IT, or Coding through HSIM courses will have opportunities to access internships with global companies. Teachers trained through the Practicum will play a critical role in guiding these learners along that path.
This alignment between English instruction and workforce development ensures that language learning becomes a gateway to economic opportunity, not just an academic exercise.
Empowering Jamaica’s Teachers
Jamaica’s educators are at the center of this initiative. The Practicum not only strengthens teachers’ professional skills but also empowers them as agents of change in their classrooms and communities. By participating, teachers will:
Gain internationally informed teaching strategies.
Receive mentorship and support through HSIM’s virtual platform.
Connect with a wider network of English educators across the Caribbean and Africa.
Contribute to a new model of English for Industry, where education directly fuels national development.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the English for Industry Practicum Course marks an important step in strengthening Jamaica’s education system. It reflects a growing recognition that language skills, when strategically taught, can unlock opportunities in global industries. View the Proposed University collaboration. For Karen Francis, the course is both professional and personal. “As an immigrant from Jamaica and an English Language Fellow alumna, I’ve seen how education and language can open doors. This course is about ensuring Jamaican teachers—and their students—walk through those doors with confidence.”
Enrollments for the English for Industry Practicum Course are now open.
Teachers and institutions interested in participating can connect through the Haile Selassie I MetaVersity's Massive Open Online Courses.
To attend info session on the upcoming MOOC Bootcamp Pre-Register Here
Media Contact
Karen Francis MEd aka Empress Zaria
Founder, Haile Selassie I MetaVersity
📞 +1 (876) 816-1953
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