Vanakkam is an online English Language training program project towards breaking the English

language barrier for students in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka to connect them to
work opportunities.

These young students are included in this weekly online training program, so they can increase their
primary language familiarity in an interactive and easy-to-access learning environment.

Most of these students are in financially, socially and resource-wise undeserving environments, hence
access to an international language usage (which can significantly improve the future prospects of
their lives in the long term) or confidence built with regards to using the language as a communication
tool is minimal. This project shapes not just education but also shapes peacebuilding.

This is a long-term online learning facilitation program aiming to develop the rudimentary English
language grasp of a geographically distant student community in Sri Lanka.

Project Goals

Overall

1. Provision of the learning via online platform with a diverse pool of in-house trainers
2. Using interactive media / techniques to teach elementary English mainly focusing on the
spoken element
3. At a later stage, the writing ability of the target group can also be accessed / developed

Short term impact

1. Improve the primary English language speaking abilities of the participants

2. Improve the familiarity with using the language often
3. Improve the confidence in using the language freely with available knowledge

Long term (expected) impact

1. Improve the primary English language speaking abilities of the participants to be used in
future interactions with global / local counterparties
2. Equip them with necessary language skills to be used in advanced learning / employment
opportunities
3. Improve the confidence in using the language freely, therefore building better communication
among diverse and distant communities

Project Milestones

1. First stage of the project ran from early September to later November 2023 with 10 weekly
learning sessions concluded for 40 youth from the North & East provinces of Sri Lanka. We
received teaching support from 23 volunteers for these sessions (11 from Global shapers
Colombo Hub and others from partnering organizations)

2. Second stage of the project expected to kickstart in January 2024

Partnership

Currently we run this program in partnership with Enable Lanka Foundation and the Rotaract Club of
University of Moratuwa. Other potential organizations can partner with us to connect the initiatives
with distant but deserving student/ young populations in Sri Lanka, in order to equip them with English
language skills.
Navindra Fonseka

Vice Curator

Colombo Hub - Global Shapers