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Abstract: The Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia has, with the support of the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), instituted a programme of teacher training which is carried out in the schools of Mauritius since 1996, essentially centered on teaching of English language. This paper provides an understanding of the historical context of language development in Mauritius and subsequently reports on the development of the teaching programme by the ECU trainees along with the perception of  a variety of stakeholders on the programme. It also   raises a few questions on some of the populist notions of teaching and learning of English and the organization of  teaching in primary schools of Mauritius. It points out to the complex nature of the language context in Mauritius which may be to the detriment of children whose potential to learn and use the English language is often underestimated.