Year 6 hostellers of Royal College Colombo improve English skills

The project to improve English skills of Year 6 hostellers of Royal College Colombo (RCH) has recommenced after nearly one and a half years of lay off and strictly adhering to health guidelines. The project is fully funded by the Queensland Old Royalists Association (QORA) and is delivered by Wendy Whatmore Academy (WWA).

The current beneficiaries numbering 90 are from 15 districts and 61 divisional secretariats. They are the highest achievers at the 2020 Year Five scholarship exam. Mission of the promoters is to provide them with the only skill they clearly lack – competence in English language – and thereby empowering them to stand equal to classmates from English-speaking backgrounds and to become global professionals one day.

Tamara Holsinger of WWA explained that students will not merely be taught to speak English as a second language but will receive instructions in understanding a message, exploring effective ways of getting that message across confidently, and engaging the attention of the audience. “Along with effective communication, they will be guided in pronunciation and correct grammar,” she added.

Through games and roleplay, students will be encouraged to practice the language and with practice in grammar and an expansion in vocabulary it is envisaged that they will learn the whys and wherefores of the language.

RCH Warden Janaka Jayasinghe is very grateful to QORA for its most generous and well thought out contribution and to WWA for an excellent delivery. In his view, the stars of the nation flock each year to Royal College Colombo seeking the best exposure to English which is the golden key to success. “At the Royal College Hostel (RCH) my staff and I are totally committed to making free education most meaningful in the 21st century transforming every rural child into a fully pledged Royalist and making them global leaders in whatever sphere they would choose and very soon we plan making English the main language of communication within the hostel,” he added.

Emeritus Professor Hemantha Senanayake addressing the students recalled his days at the hostel almost six decades ago. He reminded them that the reason why their parents chose Royal College over many excellent provincial schools was to access better English education and above all to improve their communication skills. He also said one of the unique advantages that Royal College would offer them is interaction with children of other religions and races and English as a link language would be a great help in achieving those.

He disclosed that the sponsor QORA is investing around Rs. 15,000 on each student. He urged them to make the maximum use of it. The dream of the organisers is to see them speaking as fluently and with confidence as their classmates who come from English-speaking households. He urged each one to make the maximum use of this golden opportunity.

QORA President Nalaka Rajakaruna said: “Back in 2018, QORA organised Bathiya N Santhush ‘Because of You’ concert with the primary purpose of raising funds to support students who come to Colombo from regional areas having passed the Year Five Scholarship exam; helping them reach excellence in education. In keeping up with this theme, QORA has funded the spoken English classes for Year 6 hostellers of Royal College delivered by the Wendy Watmore Academy last year.”

“QORA committee and members understand the importance of this worthy cause and are proud to be a part of this initiative for the second year running. On behalf of the QORA committee, it is my great pleasure to announce that we are committed to contribute towards the Hostel Skills Development Program in Spoken English for the year 2022,” he added.