Projects

Senahasa's English Development Programme

Senahasa completed building work at UMV and SGV following the devastation of the Tsunami, and decided that we could make the most of these new facilities by introducing an English Development Programme. The programme employs TEFL-qualified native English- speakers to help both local teachers and students achieve greater fluency and confidence in their use of English, thus providing students with the opportunity to pursue further education and a wider range of employment prospects.

The programme has Ministry of Education approval as one of the first of its kind in Sri Lankan state schools. Since its inception in August 2006 the programme has expanded to include four schools. Learner-centred approaches are applied at all grade- levels; for the youngest students, acquisition of basic literacy skills and natural sentence-structures facilitates the introduction of English textbook-use in Grade 3, while emphasis in the upper grades is on preparing students for O- and A-level examinations and improving communication skills. English is introduced in the classroom through drama, I.T. and other cross-curricular content, and further consolidated through much-needed after school programmes.

With a view to the sustainability of these improvements in English-language teaching, Senahasa teachers work with their local counterparts, both during and after class time, introducing ideas for more effective lessons and resource development.

The programme is being led by two retired teachers from the UK. Alan and Jo Brown are very experienced and will have a focus on younger children in the schools they work in. They will also help A'level students and those waiting for their O'level results. Their aim is to support the national curriculum by providing "English enrichment" alongside the current English classes.

Jo and Alan meet Mr Dayaratne, the headmaster at UMV	Jo and Alan at SGV with the English Department

English Activity rooms have been set up at UMV and SGV and these provide a good environment to develop the children's English Skills. The resources have been built up over the last few years.

Last year, we piloted the recruitment of two English-speaking gap-year volunteers from Colombo schools (post A’ Level). They provided assistance with group activities, extra tuition and co-curricular events, while creating a significant 'cultural' exchange between urban and rural Sri Lankans.

John Cruft welcomed to UMV with a traditional breakfast of Kiribath	John Cruft working with Grade 3 children at SGV

View the foundation stone laying ceremony

Click on play button to play the video (mulgal.wmv file - 2MB)