VoIP to play a role in new language scheme

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has unveiled new plans to use VoIP solutions to help people across the world learn English.

The British Council, which aims to share British expertise with other nations, is to establish a new website offering those interested in improving their language skills an array of language resources, including the chance to get in contact with teachers using internet telephony.

Mr Brown said that while millions of people are already learning English, "there are millions more on every continent who are still denied the chance".

"So today I want Britain to make a new gift to the world: a commitment to help anyone - however impoverished and however far away - to access the tools they need to learn English."

IP telephony solutions, which allow people to make calls very cheaply, will play a key role in the new programme, with Mr Brown adding: "The new site will enable one to one tuition to take place through VoIP, harnessing new technology to share the power of English."

It is hoped that the scheme will help at least one billion people over the decade.