UK students help 150 Jordanian schoolchildren improve their English

AMMAN — A total of 150 Jordanian schoolchildren had the opportunity to learn English from native speakers over the past four days through extracurricular activities that broke the classroom routine.

In a programme organised within an initiative by Majid AlSadi, chairman and CEO of Eastern Holding, 14 Coventry University students from the UK were in Jordan this week to improve students' English language and grammar using fun activities, including art and music.

Dubbed "The Majid AlSadi Changing Lives Programme (MACLP)", the initiative was launched in September 2012 to bring about change in the lives of young people in Jordan and the UK. 

Esme Louw, the PR manager of Eastern Holding, said around 70 students from the UK have completed the MACLP since its inception, coming to Jordan to learn more about the country and sharing their knowledge with Jordanians in return.  

"The main aim is to let UK students and youths in Jordan interact with each other. UK students can learn the culture of the Middle East and Jordanians can benefit from these students," she told The Jordan Times.  

Louw noted that the programme helps break down the barrier between the Middle East and foreign countries 

"This is the fifth event held as part of this programme. It is held two times a year," she added.  

Sofia Rouhi, one of the UK participants, said when she first came to Jordan and met the students, some of them were hesitant or shy.

"We quickly started with games and we taught them English," the 21-year-old added. 

She said that students were really motivated and liked the idea of learning a language in a more informal atmosphere. 

"I love Jordan... everybody is so respectful, and they were really nice to us," Rouhi added. 

The Jordanian students who benefited from the programme were equally happy.

Mohammad Hassan said that in addition to English, the British students helped him learn more about French and German. 

"I learned that I can understand English by practising the language rather than memorising grammar notes," the 15-year-old told The Jordan Times.

He said he will try to teach these techniques to his friends and family members. 

Abdul Fatah Mitlaq, the principal of Al Rasheed School, where the programme took place, said students learned how to be socially active with others and to persevere in their studies. 

"They [the British students] worked with our students to paint the school, which made it more beautiful. It helped them boost their background in English because they practised the language with British people," he added, expressing hope that similar programmes will take place at his school and other public schools in Amman.  

Ihab Barghouthi, another Jordanian student, said he was able to learn more about English. 

"Applying games is a good way to teach because it breaks the routine.”