Many of them have never seen an English book or newspaper in their life, but 100 children will now get a chance to learn the language, thanks to a scholarship programme funded by the US.

The Association for Promotion of Creative Learning (APCL) will equip 100 underprivileged children of the city with English speaking skills in a fun-filled environment.

APCL will achieve this with the help of various activities, under the English Access Microscholarship Programme, funded by the US Embassy. The US consul-general, Craig L. Hall, inaugurated the programme at APCL on Wednesday.

Since its inception in 2004, over 110,000 students from more than 80 countries have participated in the programme. In this country, it is run in many places, including Chennai, Delhi and Aligarh. APCL will run the course in Bihar.

APCL specialises in undertaking different methods of teaching.

Speaking during the inauguration of the programme at APCL, agriculture production commissioner Vijoy Prakash, who also happens to be the patron of APCL, said: "Most of the students who have enrolled in the programme are first generation English learners. These students come from families where English is not spoken or heard."

"In fact, there are many students who are first generation Hindi learners. They can only speak Magahi. So it would be quite a challenge to teach them English," he added.

Mridula Prakash, the executive president of APCL said four trainers had been hired by the school to teach a group of 25 underprivileged children each.

"Students would be taught English through interesting activities. For example, on days, they would be asked to speak only English during the various activities. Students would also be asked to come up with new English words everyday," shesaid. "Under this programme, we would acquaint students with the culture in the US. We would celebrate festivals such as Christmas and Halloween."

Students of APCL organised a short cultural programme after the inaugural programme.