Comparative studies in curriculum change : the change from the 'Pacific series' English program to 'Our English series for Melanesia' English program in community schools in Papua New Guinea : its effects in the preparation of teachers in community teachers' colleges

English is the-official language and the medium of instruction in community schools and higher learning institutions in Papua New Guinea today. During the colonial rule of the two territories, the British in Papua and the Germans in New Guinea, different language policies existed according to the purposes of the colonial powers. In order to assist the teachers teachmg the approved medium of instructions, primers and rea,ders were produced. The Papuan Junior Readers were produced and used in the state schools in the Territory of Papua. During the post World War II period, English programs were developed for the two territories under the Australian administration. The Oxford English Course for Papua and New Guinea, the Minenda Series produced by the Jacaranda Press, and the Pacific Series published by the Oxford University Press, Melbourne. The present English program, Our English Series for Melanesia, was developed nationally and is used in the community schools, and in Community Teachers' Colleges. For the purposes of teacher preparation for teaching English in community schools, this dissertation focuses on the comparison of the underlying theories upon which the Pacific Series and Our English Series for Melanesia were designed and developed. The study seeks to identify the factors that determined the change from Pacific Series to Our English Series for Melanesia,, the approaches adopted with the goal of teaching English effectively at community schools, and the means in which student-teachers in Community Teachers' Colleges can be prepared to meet these goals (effective English teaching in PNG community schools). It is anticipated that results from the study will assist curriculum writers and policy makers to review present practices to improve English teaching and learning, as well as increasing students' knowledge and usage of English.