The Power of Language

English Lessons at the Umoja Training Centre

By Standing Voice

August 22^nd, 2019

On Ukerewe Island, the opportunity to learn English invites new and exciting opportunities. Fluency in the language can be a gateway to professional advancement and a platform for building confidence. It came as no surprise, then, when the community of Ukerewe responded so enthusiastically to our announcement of English lessons at the Summer Skills Workshop 2019.

Returning to deliver lessons for their second consecutive year were Sarah Bancroft, a UK-based journalist, and Molly Hardy, a law graduate from the University of Exeter. Together, Sarah and Molly designed and delivered a week-long programme of lessons, supported with translation by Standing Voice's very own Chrispine Mabwenga and Yohana Ladislaus.

Molly and I were delighted to be joining Standing Voice for the Summer Skills Workshop again. It’s been lovely to come back to such a warm welcome from both the staff and students who recognised us from last year, as well as meeting new members of the Standing Voice team. -- Sarah Bancroft

This year's English Workshop was spread across two groups of differing abilities who both received one lesson a day. With a focus on speaking and listening over reading and writing, the lessons aimed to raise people's confidence to use English in everyday situations and interactions.

"We felt the lessons should be centred around what might be most useful to the students in everyday life. Topics that would be used on a daily basis and that the students would be able to connect with, language that could be used to interact with tourists should they be present on the island. We chose five topics: introductions and family and self; daily routines; shopping and going to market; directions and places; animals and environment. I was quite amazed by the engagement of the students from the very outset.” -- Molly Hardy

Songs, games, performance and even props were used to support interactive learning throughout the lessons, to great success. Knowledge was expanded and skills built upon among the students who had attended lessons in 2018, with those who held more advanced English skills supporting those with slightly weaker abilities.

"We saw a lot of consideration for the students with albinism among the rest of the class. For instance, sometimes I asked people to swap places so the people with albinism could be closer to the resources and the people without albinism totally understood and appreciated that. It was a really lovely group." -- Sarah Bancroft

I’d say the thing I enjoyed most about the workshop this year was the people. Seeing the confidence and friendships grow from year to year is great. You can see the integration happen in front of you. I really enjoy it and will definitely be coming back every year. I’d recommend this experience to anyone. Just get stuck in and help, it’s fantastic. -- Molly Hardy

We are extremely grateful to Molly and Sarah for their continued support and dedication to Standing Voice. We look forward to the progression their students are sure to make in the months to come.