Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, through its programme Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) has launched its Adult English Literacy (RAEL) Programme again this year.
Launched in 2009, the RAEL programme is aimed at workers with low levels of English literacy but are keen to develop their language skills. The initiative enables migrant workers to develop their ability to effectively communicate at a basic level in their daily activities.
Over the course of two years, ROTA will collaborate with six partner organisations: Georgetown University in Qatar; Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar; Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar; Northwestern University in Qatar; the Academic Bridge Program; the HBKU Student Housing English Language Program; as well as Doha Expressway (CH2M HILL), a project of Ashghal; and the Light Railway Transit System (LRT), a project of Qatari Diar VINCI Construction (QDVC). Volunteer Literacy Trainers will be drawn from these organisations and from the student bodies of partner universities.
To kick-off the RAEL initiative this year, a ‘Training for Trainers’ workshop was held recently at the Qatar Foundation Recreation Center. The RAEL Programme will take place over a 16-week period split into two terms. The first term began this week and will last for eight consecutive weeks, while the second term will start in February 2018.
This year, over 60 volunteers from partner organisations and EAA’s ROTA are entrusted with the task of helping low-skilled workers improve their English language skills. By teaching workers within their own organisations, the student volunteers will help improve productivity as well as provide them with the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and life-long learning.
This is a key feature of the programme as it offers opportunities for young people in Qatar to take part in experiential service-learning, thus developing their skills and knowledge as RAEL Literacy Trainers and Champions.
Rasmeya Hassan Al Jamali, Community Development Specialist of the National Programmes Department at ROTA, said that the RAEL training course is an essential component of the Adult English Literacy programme offered to migrant workers in Qatar. It ensures that volunteer tutors have a thorough understanding of the course material and are well prepared to effectively facilitate the programme.
Training the RAEL facilitators to become confident literacy tutors will ensure that migrant workers will reap the maximum benefit from the Adult English Literacy programme. The course also reaffirms the importance of social responsibility and community development.’
Mahmoud Albana, a volunteer tutor from Ashghal, said he felt confident in his ability to effectively facilitate after completing the training programme.
The training has enhanced my skill set and given me a broader understanding of some of the challenges facing migrant workers. I look forward to conducting the training and helping to positively impact the lives of migrant workers in Qatar.’
For more information about the Adult English Literacy Programme, visit the ROTA website through this link.