Education Desk Promoting English Speaking among Sunday School Children
By Lonely Paul Mwandira (Methodology Advisor)
Sunday school children in St. Michael’s Parish now have an opportunity to improve their English speaking skills, thanks to the new project called “Promotion of English Speaking Skills among Sunday School Children”.
The project, which seeks to improve English proficiency among early grade learners, is exposing Sunday school children to activities performed in English. The project has introduced English Speaking Clubs in selected primary schools where children interact in English through reading and speaking after normal school hours. In these clubs, they also recite poems, conduct debates on child centered topics, panel discussions on catechism, spelling bees, storytelling and others.
The project has also organized competitions in poetry and Bible verse recitals in English. Children will compete in clubs and during other Sunday school activities like quiz competition.
In view of the tasks involved, the Education Desk of the Diocese of Karonga oriented teachers and Sunday school instructors on English teaching and learning skills and English catechism mastery late last year at Mubanga, in Chitipa District.
Speaking during the official induction ceremony, Mr. Remmie Kamanga, the Education Desk Officer, said the project gives an opportunity for children to read and speak English which would result into mastery of the language.
“If our young boys and girls do master the English language they will easily understand academic work in class, hence, excel in education” voiced Kamanga.
In order to reach out to more children, Tuntufye FM Radio will be producing and broadcasting children’s stories in English through radio drama.
Speaking at the outset of the orientation exercise, Parish Priest for St Michael’s Parish, Father Charles Chinula, thanked the Education Desk Officer for considering his parish in the pilot phase.
The induction targeted teachers of Mubanga Primary School, where the English club has been introduced, and Sunday school instructors of Mubanga Prayer Centre where English Catechism lessons have been introduced. The project is being sponsored by the Coppel’s Family.