ST. EUSTATIUS--With the change of the language of instruction to English, it is required that teaching staff and other school employees have a good command of the English language. Therefore, the Department of Education is to ensure that all primary and secondary school teachers on St. Eustatius achieve at least a C1-level of proficiency in English. New Challenges Foundation (NCF) St. Eustatius was appointed as the educational training centre to organize and execute the Cambridge English course administered by school board coach on Statia Martin van den Oetelaar, said NCF Director Francine Foe.
NCF, an education and life-training centre founded in 2014, is responsible for the execution of the second-chance education Youth Social Opportunity Programme, providing (young) adults with educational opportunities and employment training.
After initial training and examination of most of the staff last year, there was still a need for an ongoing training programme for repeats and newly recruited staff.
The English course consists of an online interactive course for 10 months via Flo Joe, supplemented by tutoring sessions. Flo Joe specializes in online courses that prepare persons for the Cambridge English examinations.
Thirty-nine candidates were assessed and divided into three groups per level: B2, C1 and C2. During the kick-off on April 27, NCF Director Foe welcomed the candidates and explained the purpose of the kick off, and NCF facilitator Julian Hinckson introduced the Flo Joe course, his responsibilities is getting the candidates prepared for the exam, and what is expected of the candidates.
The tutoring sessions are scheduled twice per month per group. The first group started on May 11. At the end of the course the participants will write one of three examinations to assess their level of proficiency.
NCF also provides the Cambridge English course to the community of Statia to improve their English, said Francine Foe.
“On behalf of New Challenges Foundation we greatly appreciate the assistance of [transition coordinator - Ed.] Angela Dekker, Martin van den Oetelaar, Mr. Hinckson, management and the school boards of the various schools for making this possible,” she said.
