Category: Featured

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.

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.