English Training Programme for Migrant Workers Celebrates its Graduates

The English Training Programme for Migrant Workers, a collaboration between the Department of English and Communication (ENGL) and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (IMWU), recently celebrated the achievements of its first and second batches of graduates.

In February 2024, around 39 dedicated migrant domestic workers completed a four-month training programme. The project aimed to enhance the English proficiency of migrant domestic workers, enabling them to communicate effectively with employers and, more importantly, to advocate for themselves. Participants attended classes twice a month, practising conversational skills, vocabulary, grammar, and communication.

The second batch, which completed the programme in June 2024, consisted of 84 migrant domestic workers. The programme doubled in size, accommodating a more linguistically diverse group. Two levels of instruction were offered (Beginner and Intermediate Classes), and both levels provided immersive and hands-on learning experiences that helped the migrant workers acquire various skills, including communication, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. Participants reported increased confidence in using English and improved relationships with employers and the local community. These outcomes highlight the program’s success in not only improving language proficiency but also enhancing the overall quality of life for migrant domestic workers.

The Project Leader Dr Jeffry Oktavianus (middle) and the graduates.

Two certificate presentations were held to celebrate the achievements of these migrant workers. Both events were attended by Prof. Eric Friginal (Head of ENGL), Sringatin (Executive Committee member of IMWU), and Yul Edison (the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong). The programme continues to thrive and will welcome its third cohort, commencing in mid-July 2024, with 90 participants. Dr Jeffry Oktavianus, Assistant Professor and project leader, commented that this expansion reflects the growing demand and the programme’s effectiveness in meeting the needs of migrant domestic workers.