Author: Vi

Goducate has been conducting its Happy Happy English program in two dormitories for foreign workers in Singapore. And it has been possible only through the efforts of our band of volunteers, who have given up Saturday night after Saturday night to travel long distances to these dormitories to teach the residents functional English and to extend to them a hand of friendship.

Hence last Wednesday, at the start of a few weeks’ break in the program, Goducate held a volunteers’ appreciation night at which volunteers came to share experiences. It was also a time during which newcomers learnt about Goducate philosophy and methods.

Volunteers who were picked upon to speak impromptu about their thoughts on the Happy Happy English program told the rest how they had received much more than they had given. They told about what the students had said about the program—-how the students valued not just the teaching, but also the warmth of the friendship received. In many cases meeting Goducate was the first time that locals had encountered a friendly face. Some students even referred to volunteers as family.

Most of the blue-collar foreign workers live in dormitories housing thousands of people and generally sited in the middle of nowhere. They work long hours, hence the scheduling of the classes for Saturday nights, and even then many of them don’t get to class on time at 8pm. Because of overtime, they sometimes get back later than that, with barely time for a quick shower, and dinner to be cooked after class ends at 10 pm.

Goducate will be starting the Happy Happy English program in a third dormitory soon. But there are nearly 50 dormitories for foreign workers in Singapore. Thus many volunteers will be needed for the program to be offered to more dormitories. The Happy Happy English program needs volunteers to teach, to facilitate the small-group work during which students practise their oral English, to help with technical matters, to act, sing and dance for our videos, and even to cook. Dinner at the volunteer-appreciation night was prepared by volunteers.

In mid-January, Goducate launched Happy Happy English, a program designed for foreign workers living in large dormitories in Singapore. The program starts with a few weeks of “edutainment” consisting of videoshows of different aspects of Singapore together with some stage entertainment and the teaching of a few English phrases related to the videoshow (see Jan 24 blog).

We launched the program at a dormitory at the western end of Singapore. After 5 of these shows, we conducted placement tests for those workers who wanted to join our English classes. Over 50 turned up for the placements tests on week 6, and last week 45 turned up for classes. They were placed in three levels of classes according to their English ability. There are 6 levels of classes in the course, and each lasts 12 weeks.

The aim of these classes is to teach the workers functional English, to enable them to interact with colleagues and with Singaporean society. The lessons are given in a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of interaction between students and facilitators. The last half-hour of the 2-h class, called English café, is a time when the class breaks up into small groups to chat or play language games with facilitators over a biscuit or two.

We hope to start the program in a second dormitory soon.