“Sorry, I’m shy to speak English, I’m afraid to make a mistake…”

This is something Yayasan Pendar Pagi (YPP) staff at the English Resource Center in Pekanbaru, Indonesia hear on a regular basis from students who are attending for the first time. Many of our students who have gained confidence and fluency in speaking within the months or years of attending the Center can well remember feeling exactly the same.

SEEDS professionals working with YPP at the English Resource Centre recognised the particular challenges faced by newcomers to the Centre, and now weekly ‘beginner’s level discussion groups’ have been started. Each is led by four student volunteers who receive some initial training.

This program has proven very popular and helpful both for beginners and those leading the groups. New students find it easier to get settled into the English Center community. They get to know the other students in a fun and relaxed setting and practise their English in a less threatening way. On the other hand the student volunteers are building up their confidence to speak in front of a group, learn to prepare appropriate activities and develop their leadership skills.