On Sunday our Youth Empowerment Program
students gathered at the National Centre for Performing Arts to celebrate their
graduation from the Teach India English program. The English component of our
Youth Empowerment Program has always been a huge focus and draw for the
program, however this batch we made a significant change to the curriculum and elected
to become part of the Teach India program. This is a Times of India initiative
which uses a curriculum designed by the British Council and taught by
volunteers from around Mumbai.
"There were two main reasons we decided
to adopt the Teach India program. First, it focuses on conversation and
speaking skills, which our students have always struggled with. Some students
come to the YEP with pretty good written skills, but lack the confidence to
speak and are looking to improve this in particular. Second, there is a job opportunity
component in particular for individuals who wish to work in the retail sector.
We have always hoped that the YEP could be a stepping stone to employment or
other education or training programs and this is a first step towards
developing this sort of career ladder." said Summer Starr, Executive
Director, Reality Gives.
Teach India focuses on the speaking ability
of students with the goal of making them more employable. They then offer
students the opportunity to meet employers and apply for positions at their
career fairs.
Sunday's event included performances from
about 15 schools across Mumbai who also participated in the program and a high
tea. Performances included english musical and dance performances as well as
skits. Supporting the environment and the benefits of speaking English were big
themes for the skits this year. The Reality Gives YEP students did not perform
this time, but we look forward to participating in the future.
Teach India Volunteers teach for 2 hours a
day, 3 alternate days a week for 100 days. They commit to 8.5 days of compulsory
training under the British Council. The next batch of trainees will start
March/April 2013.
If you would like to volunteer to teach
English through the Teach India program, see their website for more
information: http://www.itimes.com/public_teach-india.php
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