Course teaches how to speak English without fear
Speak freely. Have no fear of making mistakes or people making fun at you. These were the instructions given at an English-speaking course in Al Batinah Governorate that helped remove their “phobia”.
The two-week course, held for the first time here, targeted students from different age groups from the Wilayat of Al Khabourah.
Its closing ceremony was presided over by Mohammed bin Saeed al Mamari, Assistant Director of the Department of Human Resource Development of Training.
Al Mamari said such programmes are essential for better language development and developing self-confidence, besides boosting career.
Aimed at developing and refining speaking skills as well as developing self-confidence, the course was full of excitement, and competitions as well as games. It also comprised role plays and presentations.
Ahmed bin Said al Saidi, one of the participants, said he was “grateful for the knowledge I have gained during the course. I have learnt several polite phrases for making requests or asking permission.”
“How to make a good presentation was an essential element of the course,” he said.
Al Saidi said he had learnt how to communicate with others effectively. “Now I can visit any fastfood restaurant with confidence and place an order by using my newly-learnt skills.”
Some movies were screened that helped hone their comprehension and pronunciation skills, besides boosting their confidence when speaking English.
Tayba bint Hamed al Qutati, for instance, wants to watch English movies without Arabic subtitles. “After watching films at the programme, I have started using English language in my daily life. It is a challenge for me but I am ready for it.”
To be able to speak a language, one needs confidence. A teacher’s role is to facilitate the same. Participants learned to ignore comments and express their thoughts freely.
They achieved it through techniques taught at the course, including pick and speak, run-tothe-board, find-a-person, image displays and sketches.
Participants were asked to write about themselves using the language they learnt at the programme. Besides acting out on the stage, they learned how to speak freely through presentations.
Fatma bint Rashid al Balushi, a parent of two of the participants, said: “Such programmes are useful and vital in helping students enhance their speaking skills.”
She said her daughters are “more outgoing in their daily conversations and more self-confident when dealing with others. My daughter now watches movies without looking at the Arabic subtitles”.