Educational Outreach: Strengthening Lifelong Learning in Local Communities and Schools

In the modern era, English is increasingly important in 21st-century learning as it is the global language of communication. In everyday life, English is involved in various aspects, making it essential for students to be proficient in using it. In today’s society, where education knows no borders and communication can occur globally, students should develop English communication skills that they can apply in daily life and in various situations. The continuous development of English skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, is essential as a foundation for higher education and for improving the quality of academic achievement.

Modern students need to understand the processes of communication in English, acquire language skills, and be able to use English effectively on all occasions. This serves as a foundation for advanced learning and allows them to use their English knowledge for further education or future careers, so the English Development Program for Students in Schools Surrounding the University was established to provide local youth from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds with access to quality English education. The program aims to develop English language skills appropriate to the students’ grade levels.

This project integrates English teaching activities through a “Reading and Writing Buddies” program, in which English major university students teach 5th-grade students from nearby schools. The activities focus on improving reading aloud, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through comics that match the students’ interests. The main goal is to build students’ confidence in using English, enabling them to communicate more effectively, foster a love of learning the language, and practice diligently.

The university students involved in the project could contribute to the community by teaching English to younger students. After each session, an evaluation is conducted where the university students assess the progress of the younger students, as well as any learning challenges they encounter. These assessments include techniques for remembering English letters, phonics, phrases and idioms, understanding grammar, and sentence structures used in short stories. The results serve as a basis for future lessons.

Upon completion of the program, 5th-grade students show significant improvement in both their confidence in using English and their success in tests. Their post-program test scores increased notably. Moreover, both teachers and students expressed high satisfaction with the program’s activities. The students enjoyed participating in the English learning activities. While students benefited from the diverse teaching methods, university students gained hands-on experience in teaching English to primary school students with voluntary student-run schemes.