US Peace Corps to spread English Language Skills here
View(s):A bilateral agreement to obtain the support of the American Peace Corps (APC) to promote English Language within Sri Lanka, will be signed with the the United States of America (USA) this week in Colombo. APC CEO Sheila Crowley will visit Sri Lanka for the signing.
During an earlier visit, on an invitation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, an APC delegation toured the country from May 14-26, 2017. Based on recommendation by these delegates the APC will resume their volunteer services in Sri Lanka. In 1983, the APC conducted volunteer projects in Sri Lanka.
The Information Dept said a special observation of the APC was the need for English Language instructors in Sri Lanka.Therefore, the volunteers will organize programmes to increase fluency in schoolchildren and teachers alike, partnered with schools, secondary education providers, Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Ministry of Skills Development & Vocational Training and NGOs such as Sarvodaya, have expressed there willingness to conduct programmes in partnership with the APC. The MoE and the Ministry of Skills Development & Vocational Training intend to initiate the APC into their existing training facilities.
The APC was created as a volunteer organisation, affiliated with the US government on Mar.1, 1961. Its goal was to provide the Education, Agriculture, Technology, Health, Commercial and Social Service sectors with trained workers. US citizens can volunteer to the APC for no less than two years, in development projects conducted in foreign countries. APC volunteers are expected to learn the local language, become familiar with the local culture, the lifestyle and work in the communities.
Under the project, the first team of volunteers will be initiated into training facilities in the Eastern coastal line, the second team into the Central Province, and eventually, volunteers will be spread throughout the country. The volunteers will remain with local sponsor-families for 27 months, and focus on promoting English Language Skills islandwide.
The first team of 30-35 volunteers are expected to arrive in September 2019. After which, volunteer teams are expected to come each year in October. The APC hopes to increase the number to 120 by 2021.