Goducate has been serving needy communities in 8 countries in Southeast Asia, but Singapore has not been one of them because we felt that there aren’t as many poor communities in Singapore and that there are many charitable organizations serving the needs of these people. However, in the past year much attention has been drawn to the vast numbers of migrant workers in Singapore, and the difficulties they face in integrating well with the local community.
Goducate has thus started We-Chat English, a programme of conversational English for adults who want to learn functional English without the stress of examinations. To achieve our aim of social integration, the classes are open to both migrant workers and local people. The classes include fun-filled activities that give the students a chance at practising what is being taught. In addition, each 3 hr session ends with a half-hour session called the English Café, during which the class breaks into groups led by a facilitator. The facilitator will help the group loosen up to chat among themselves and get to know each other better.
There are six levels of classes, and 12 lessons per course. Students are provided with course notes and an audio CD. We have been testing the programme with a few pilot courses, and will be starting more courses next year, in different parts of Singapore.
