Friday, Jun 29, 2012
Abu Dhabi -Labourers at the Saadiyat Construction Village were happy to learn English. They can now communicate with ease and are able to express themselves.
Some 38 workers attended the year-long, English classes organised by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC). Five TDIC staff volunteered to handle the classes.
The first batch of labourers attended a graduation ceremony that took place at TDIC’s HQ in Abu Dhabi.
“It was a very emotional moment for everyone to watch the workers receiving their certificates. When they started the course they could barely speak any English. Now they are confident to express themselves in the language,” said Nabeel Al Kendi, Chief Development Officer at TDIC, who handed the workers their certificates.
The classes were conducted after working hours, four days a week. Students were divided into five groups, and classes started on February 25 with Mazhar Mohammad Islam, office assistant at TDIC, who was the first to volunteer to teach the workers at the village.
Teachers focused on conversation classes which equipped the workers with the basics of communication along with topics related to their line of work. They used role-playing scenarios and visual aids to better convey meanings and concepts to workers.
Certificates were not only awarded to workers, but also to the five staff volunteers who received Certificates of Appreciation as a token of gratitude and admiration for all the hard work and effort they put in throughout the year.
“The English course was an initiative that aimed to enrich the lives of the workers and develop their language skills, confidence, and teamwork. We are very proud of all the graduates, and even more of the volunteers who made it happen. With the success of this programme, we are definitely planning on welcoming new students and commencing the course again soon,” Al Kendi added.
“I work as a clinic assistant, and the English language is needed all the time as we have patients from different nationalities who cannot always speak Hindi or Urdu. This course helped me to improve my English. I now feel able to communicate with ease at work and I believe the course will even help me more in the future,” Awais Shakeel, Medical Clinic Assistant, told Gulf News.
Maite Pinillos, office manager at TDIC, and also a volunteer, expressed how this experience keeps her grounded.
“It reminds me that it is not all about taking, but also about giving back to society and to our community. Furthermore, my students are the best. It brings me great satisfaction to see them progress, smile and grow,” she said.
Scott Montell, senior lawyer at TDIC and a volunteer for the English classes was also happy to help.
“It was a challenging experience, and one that made me more appreciative and willing to help. This experience has been great, and the students are all really engaged and committed,” he told Gulf News.
By Iman Sherif Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
