On Sunday, 4th February 2024, the English Training Program for Migrant Workers recently celebrated its first batch of graduates. Around 39 dedicated migrant domestic workers proudly received their certificates, marking the successful completion of a 4-month training program. This project is a fruitful collaboration between the Department of English and Communication and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union. It was designed to enhance the English proficiency of migrant domestic workers, not only to improve their communication with employers but more importantly, to equip them with the ability to advocate for themselves.
Since October 2023, participants attended classes twice a month, where they had the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience. They practised conversing with instructors, solved homework sheets, and recited passages, thereby acquiring a range of skills including basic vocabulary, grammar, and communication. As a result, the workers reported feeling less anxious and more confident in speaking English.
The certificate presentation was attended by Prof. Eric Friginal, the Head of the Department of English and Communication, Sringatin, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, and Yul Edison, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong. Guests from various universities, grassroots, and migrant organisations were also in attendance.
The program has been met with enthusiasm and interest, with a staggering 95 people already applied for the second batch, which is set to commence in late February 2024. As the program continues to grow, Dr Jeffry Oktavianus, Research Assistant Professor and project leader of the program, aspires to persist in bringing forward positive transformations to both the English language and each learner’s lives.
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