Participants at the Rota’s fourth Adult English Literacy (RAEL) Program.
DOHA: Reach Out To Asia (Rota) recently recognised the outstanding achievements of Education City’s low-skilled workers and volunteer student tutors who participated in Rota’s fourth Adult English Literacy (RAEL) Program.
The students and migrant workers received awards and certificates for participating in the programme during a reflection event held at Education City Student Centre.
During the current academic year, Rota has implemented the RAEL program in partnership with four Education City universities. Beginning in the fall semester, Georgetown, Texas A & M and Weill Cornell Medical College joined the program, which was expanded in the spring semester to involve Carniege Mellon University in Qatar.
Currently, 70 university students are teaching basic and intermediate level English classes to 170 workers employed across the four universities, with cleaners, pantry staff and other support staff among the Education City workers now benefitting from improved English language skills.
“The Rota Adult English Literacy Program is a means of supporting workers to enhance their ability to achieve personal goals and improve life opportunities. We hope that by participating in the RAEL program, participants will develop higher aspirations and an increased sense of wellbeing and empowerment,” says Rota Director Essa Al Mannai. “We are thankful to our sponsors, Qatar Petroleum who also share our belief of supporting workers to enhance their ability to achieve personal goals and improve life opportunities, through our adult literacy program,” added Al Mannai
Launched in 2009, the program was created primarily to develop English literacy and language abilities of low-skilled migrant workers. It offers opportunities for young people in Qatar to take part in an experiential service learning opportunity, developing their skills and knowledge as RAEL Literacy Trainers and Champions.
After training to become Literacy Trainers, the student volunteers deliver a specially created curriculum to help workers develop their English language skills. “Volunteering to teach English to the unskilled workers was a fruitful experience, as I can proudly hold my head high and say, “I have been a part of a program that will successfully bring about a positive transformation in the lives of many workers,” said Maryam Daey from TAMUQ.
The Peninsula
