Hands across the Oceans

1  Why did you call it English for Lifelong Learning Day?

It started as “English Day”. We decided that that name was too narrow, so we broadened it and called it “English for Lifelong Learning”. We are never too old to learn how to draw, paint, take photos, or learn to ride and care for a horse.

2  Why is English so important?

The Internet is an endless source of information and a lot of the most up to date knowledge is in English. It takes time for articles etc to be translated.

3  What is the situation with English in the university?

Students need English all their lives to communicate with the many nationalities in Kuwait. The lingua franca in KU is English – we have Filipinos, Americans, Arabs, British, Indians, Bangladeshis, Indians, or Swiss, and many other nationalities within the university, and the common language is often English. The Faculty of Science is also an English medium college.

4  Why did you ask the students to bring in their photos, art and writing?

Students will forget their grades in quizzes and exams by the next week, but they will remember for a long time how they feel when they paint a picture, take a great photo, or read something that touches them. Some students might not be great students, yet they have other talents. They can draw, design posters, paint pictures, take great photos, make juice or jewelry, make designs with henna on people’s hands, make gift bags with chocolates, or produce interesting T-shirts or mugs.

5  In what ways do you think the exhibition will motivate the students?

It is never easy to climb Mount Everest, yet Mr. Zed Al Refai, our guest speaker and a Kuwaiti national, persevered in the face of difficulties to achieve what he set out to do. He nearly died the first time he attempted to reach the summit. Any person can do anything he or she sets his or her mind to do.

6  In what way is Marie Helene a good role model for the students?

Marie Helene is severely disabled, yet she has almost completed a PH. D. and has learnt how to paint with her mouth. The only reason she could not complete her PH. D. is because she can’t travel to Germany to defend her thesis. She is a shining example of what can be achieved if a person has the will.

7  What were your criteria for inviting the guests from organizations outside the university?

Often the students do not know about the cultural organizations that exist within Kuwait, such as Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyaa or Dickson House. There are many museums and art galleries in Kuwait, and the students should know about them. We also invited Toastmasters, so that they can join the club and become more confident. Nuzha Touristic Enterprises received an invitation because the company has sea and desert trips and has produced an interesting magazine called “Kuwait Zoom” that writes about places of interest in Kuwait.

8  Why did you invite LoYAC and the Red Crescent Society?

We are also trying to get the students interested in volunteering and invited LoYAC and the Red Crescent to come to the exhibition. Kuwaitis are very privileged, and it is their duty to help those people who are worse off than they are.

9  Why did you invite so many organizations that are connected with science?

It is important for the students to know about these organizations, and what they do. They may not know what goes on in the Science Club or that there is a Science Museum. Everyone knows about the Scientific Center, but some of the other places are not so well known. These organizations were invited because they actively promote science within the country.

10  You have focused on the environment too, by inviting Kuwait Dive Team. Why did you invite it?

Kuwaitis in the past depended on the sea for survival, but people today tend to abuse the sea by polluting it and killing the fish. The Kuwait Dive Team protects the Gulf by cleaning the reefs and by making people aware of the beauty that lies beneath the surface by photographing the fish and coral reefs. The team also reminds the students about their Kuwaiti heritage, its links to pearl diving in the past, and their sea-faring ancestors. The club helps to protect the environment, both at sea and on land.

11  Which departments are you highlighting that belong to Kuwait University?

We have invited people from Continuing Education, Arabic as a Foreign Language and Community Services to make students aware of the courses that are offered within the university.

12  Have you invited organizations like AMIDEAST or the British Council, which teach English?

We invited both of them, as well as CANAM and IDP, which help send students to America, Canada and Australia. People know about the British Council and AMIDEAST, but the other two are less well known. The American Embassy also agreed to send representatives. They work closely with AMIDEAST.

13  Have you invited the students to participate?  What will these students do?

Some students will be presenting their clubs, like the Hunting and Equestrian Club and archery. Others will be showing the students juice making, chocolate making and henna. Others will be given prizes for the best poems, short stories, posters and presentations. Some will be helping the English teachers throughout the day, and one group, the Y-Not group, which has set up its own business, will have the opportunity to display their work, and some of it will be used for prizes. Two groups of students will also present short plays.

14  How will you organize the day?

We will have an art gallery upstairs for the students and some of our staff, as well as for outside guests like Marie Helene’s friend, Suzanne, and Noelle, an illustrator or artist who produces drawings for the faculty, e.g. fish and insects. We will also have light snacks there. Downstairs we will have nearly 30 tables set up for the student and external presenters. Every presenter will have a table or booth where he/she can display information about her organization. Our guest of honor, Mr. Zed Al Refai, a Kuwaiti mountaineer, will talk for 40 minutes at 11.10 am.

15  Who would you like to thank for helping to organize the day?

All our students, especially those who took part in the competitions or volunteered to help run the day. All the staff in the unit, including the secretaries, graduate assistants and educational technology people, the Dean, Dr. Hamad, the acting director of the Language Center, all the other people in the Faculty of Science who helped and supported us in many different ways, Marks and Spencer for providing us with a mannequin, and Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyaah and Virgin for providing such nice prizes.

We should also like to thank all the representatives from the different organizations for agreeing to come to the exhibition.

We hope that everyone will enjoy it and that our English Day next year will have even more booths and organizations.

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