John Keells Foundation inaugurated its popular “English for Teens” scholarship programme for 2011/12 in 19 Districts of the country in November 2011. “What we learn in this programme will help us in school and in our daily lives. It is an honour to be given the opportunity to learn at a well reputed Language Centre. We hope that John Keells will continue to provide scholarships for the benefit of children like us”, said 14-year old, W.M. Lakshani Navodya Wijetunga of Gothami Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo at the inauguration ceremony held in Colombo.
Conceptualised by John Keells Foundation and implemented through Gateway Language Centres, the “English for Teens” programme is aimed at providing foundation-level English language training for early teens. Introduced in 2010, the programme focuses primarily on teaching English for daily use and basic interactions, helping students understand and feel comfortable in interacting with others in English in a simple way.
This year too, the programme offers 1000 scholarships to school children within the age limits of 12 to 14 years in the areas of Ambalangoda, Ampara, Bandarawela, Batticaloa, Chilaw, Colombo, Jaffna, Kegalle, Kilinochchi, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Mullaitivu, Negombo, Panadura, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, Tagalle and Trincomalee. Invitations for applications from eligible schools in these areas drew an overwhelming response with a total of 1463 applications being received. Separately, an additional 144 scholarships for the pre-intermediate level programme have been offered to John Keells scholars who obtained an Honours Pass in the “English for Teens” programme of 2010/11.
Addressing the young scholars of the Colombo Centre, Ms. Carmeline Jayasuriya, Manager John Keells Foundation, said, “The “English for Teens” programme was initiated primarily to develop English language skills among early teens because of its potential both as a communication tool and gateway to knowledge in today’s context. John Keells is committed to providing these opportunities to the children and youth of our country, because we believe that empowering you with a tool as powerful as the English Language will not only develop your personal potential, but also build greater capacity for Sri Lanka as a nation.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Harsha Alles, Director, Gateway Language Centre, said, “It is an honour to have been associated with this social responsibility initiative of John Keells Foundation in providing English Language training to socially and economically disadvantaged children. To many who come from English speaking backgrounds and who have had their education in the English medium, this may sound yet another training programme. To the scholarship recipients, however, the English Language training programme provided through John Keells Foundation could be their gateway to reach their ultimate goals in life.”
The “English for Teens” programme is part of the John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme which is aimed at enhancing English language skills of school children and youth from socially economically disadvantaged backgrounds towards improving their opportunities for higher learning and sustainable employment. Since its launch in 2004, the John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme, which has been implemented through Gateway Language Centres, has to date empowered the lives of over 4400 persons in various parts of the country.