To empower students to communicate effectively in English, fostering personality enhancement that will positively impact career development opportunities.
Having neither face to face nor online lessons, this unique method of learning is based on specific assignments with strict timelines and on conversations with predesignated “Talkmates”.
Talkmates are volunteers who have agreed to carry out conversations of designated durations at pre-arranged times with the assigned student. These Talkmates are from Sri Lanka and abroad and connect with students via WhatsApp.
The above being the programme content during the first 8 weeks, the last 2 weeks will comprise of one written essay and a minimum of 60 minutes of talk time per week.
Each programme is run by a Course Director and a Course Coordinator.
The completed essay, Sinhala/English words, and recorded times of conversations with Talkmates are submitted to the Course Coordinator by the following Sunday, before the cutoff time of 7.30 p.m. A warning will be issued if a student fails to comply with the submission requirements, and any subsequent lapses may result in the immediate termination of the student from the programme.
The duration of the programme is 10 weeks divided into three segments: The initial 4 weeks followed by a one-week break; the subsequent 4 weeks, again followed by a one-week break and concluding with the final 2 weeks.
The notable feature of this programme is its commitment to being cost-free for students. Talkmates volunteer their time without any monetary compensation. Similarly, the Course Director and the Course Coordinator perform their tasks on an honorary basis.
The only prerequisite for participation is that students and Talkmates should have smartphones with sufficient data, which they are responsible for obtaining at their own expense.
Given in Appendixes A and B are testimonies of two participating students:
Comments made by two Talkmates:
CandleAid is happy to share this methodology with individuals interested in conducting the programme in their localities. CandleAid will assess the potential of those desiring to run this course, emphasizing their commitment to adhere to the principles outlined above. It is essential that the course remains free of charge and is dedicated to benefiting students from predominantly non-English speaking backgrounds.
CandleAid warmly welcomes potential Talkmates who are willing to dedicate their time and commitment to engaging in conversations with students, providing them with valuable opportunities to practice their English conversational skills.
For further information please contact either of the following:
My name is Piyumi Nisansala. I was born and brought up in a very difficult village called Matugama, Meegahathanna. I graduated from the University of Peradeniya and am currently working as a development officer in the public sector. This year, I participated in an English course conducted by CandleAid Lanka. I learned English for a short period of 3 months and now I speak English very well and with great self-confidence. Now I can speak English with anyone without fear. If you also participate in this course and want to speak English, first of all you need to make a commitment. It is mandatory.
There is no victory without commitment. By completing the exercises properly, presenting them on time, and practicing speaking frequently, you can speak English too. It is the biggest miracle of my life that I got the ability to speak English through this course, which could not be obtained from the university. It was my dedication that took me to that miracle.
So, if you want such a miracle, start with commitment. Course pilot Captain Elmo will undoubtedly take you to a beautiful destination.
My name is Ravidu Lakmal. I am a law student in the Department of Law, University of Jaffna. I live in Embilipitiya and there is no one to speak English with me. It was during that period that I got to know about CandleAid Lanka. I am a scholarship recipient and that institute recruited me for this English course.
Actually, this course which is conducted through WhatsApp is for three months. During that period, I was able to communicate in English frequently. In the early days, I was very shy to speak English, but now I can speak English with confidence anywhere at a normal level. It is possible because of this English course. I have been to many physical and online English classes, and I am very happy to say that this is the best opportunity I have come across. I am very happy to thank Capt. Elmo Jayawardena.
I really valued volunteering as a Talkmate for CandleAid as it taught me so many lessons. Experiencing the determination and eagerness of a student on the other side of the phone was a wakeup call to me. Despite their busy and somewhat challenging lives, they did their best to learn English which made me realize the importance of not taking things for granted.
Participating in this programme also made me realize that I should value and grab every opportunity given to me. Apart from the lessons it taught me, being able to help someone else by just talking to them for a few minutes each week made me happy in a way that was very satisfying. Capt. Elmo Jayawardena’s innovative way of improving the use of the English language by those not so skilled in it, is highly commendable. The participants who join the CandleAid programme have realized how vital it is to have adequate skills in using English and are eager to improve. They embark on their acquiring skills with enthusiasm. The syllabus meets this eagerness with a comprehensive coverage of reading, writing, comprehending and speaking; and to be carried out in as joyful a manner as possible.
As a Talk Mate who has chatted with several ‘learners’, I happily say I have enjoyed thoroughly the sessions of conversation with young male and female adults. Their diversity of personality as it ‘came through the ether’ (no telephone lines or wires) was one feature I particularly liked. I spoke with the shy, the bold, the confident, the diffident, competent speakers and those who even threw in a Sinhala term or two in their eagerness to say what they had to say. However they were all similar in the appreciation felt and expressed, that there was a person at the other end who was more than willing to listen to them so they gained confidence along with competence in using English.
I must add that the minutes I spent with them were enjoyable. Additionally, I experienced fulfillment in knowing I was helping these ‘eager beavers’ with no effort or expense to myself; not even time. I enjoyed being an elderly Talk Mate in these young ones’ effort to converse better in English. I thank CandleAid and Capt. Elmo and his team for having confidence in me and inviting me to help in this novel method of improving English usage.
I really valued volunteering as a talkmate for CandleAid. It has taught me so many things. Getting to experience the determination and eagerness of a student on the other side of the phone was a wakeup call for me. Despite their busy and sometimes challenging lives, they did their best to learn English which made me realize the importance of not taking things for granted.
Participating in this programme also made me realize that I should value and grab every opportunity given to me. Apart from the lessons it taught me, being able to help someone else by just talking to them for a few minutes each week made me happy in a way that was very satisfying.