Located in the heart of Seenigama village is the MCC Centre of Excellence, the hub of most of the Foundation of Goodness's community development activities. The English classes are delivered from a specially designed classroom, which includes a teaching resource library.
English language is vital to the development and future prospects of rural children and youth. Though English is a compulsory subject in school, the method of teaching often leaves children with little or no confidence in speaking English.
At the Foundation of Goodness we provide English classes free of cost to rural children and youth aged 6-18 to compliment their school curriculum but with a focus on spoken English. Adult classes are also provided, particularly to help those who are seeking employment. Two qualified teachers lead the classes, supported by English speaking volunteers from the UK, USA and Australia, which adds value to the programmes and helps to encourage confidence in speaking and also in listening skills. The volunteers also contribute new teaching skills and the latest techniques for language acquisition.
English language skills are promoted both for the improvement of educational standards and as a priority for future employment, business prosperity and personal development. The Seenigama Diving and Training Centre beneficiaries, for instance, are taught English to equip them to be able to interact with overseas diving enthusiasts, especially in the resort town of Hikkaduwa and Seenigama or to compete in the Sri Lanka and international job markets.
Over the last six months we have been able to establish new standards in the classes thanks to the quality work of two teachers and the continuing support of sustainability donor the Mirchandani Foundation. The kind gifting of teaching resources from visitors has also been of great help and every item is received with great thanks.
The results of the end of year tests for 2009 are now in. In Group 1 (Grades 1 and 2) all 15 children passed their end of year test, with 6 children achieving an A grade. In Group 2 (Grades 3,4 and 5) all 44 children passed their test, with 21 children achieving an A grade. In Group 3 (Grades 6,7 and 8), 39 out of the 40 children passed, with 11 children achieving an A grade. In Group 4 (Grades 9, 10 and 11), all 7 children passed, with two- H.H Jayantha and Rasali Layodani Wijesuriya- achieving A grades. In Group 5 (Adults Spoken English Class), 30 out of 31 students passed, with 11 achieving an A grade). Out of 137 students, 135 passed the tests (98.5%) and 51 achieved A grades (37%).
We have decided to hold placement tests at the end of February 2010 to assess the level of the students and to place them in classes according to their ability rather than their age, as done at present. In addition we actively seek the collaboration of parents in supporting their children to learn English through encouraging reading English news, practicing their lessons and so on. Parents are asked to attend meetings every two months to share ideas for helping the children further.
One student commented that “Before joining this class my English was very poor. But this is a good teaching system and teaching all without limit to syllabus. I would like more speaking practice and all is very good. I wish it to go to continue ahead.”
“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.”
2010.02.15 |
