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Volume 23 No. 3 | Spring 2013
English lessons in East Timor proving popular with students
Divine Word Missionaries and Holy Spirit Sisters in
the Diocese of Maliana, East Timor are helping high
school students in Atabae to learn English and become
independent learners, in a program that has been so
successful it already has a waiting list for next term.
Fr Kasmir Nema SVD, who completed his SVD formation
in Melbourne, says although the English language course
is only five months old, it is already bearing fruit, with
students showing they are eager to learn and to expand
their knowledge.
“The English language school in Atabae was initiated
as a response to the need for a good education while
the national education system in East Timor is still
experiencing uncertainty,” Fr Kasmir says.
“The situation motivated Fr Sipri Kakut SVD to implement
a form of English language course which meets the
interest of the students.”
Fr Kasmir says the students have made visible progress
since beginning the course.
“They are now motivated to expand their knowledge,
through learning,” he says. “The teaching method is to try
to encourage them to read books which are available in
the library, so they can become self-learners.
“This method seems to work effectively, because the
students do not stop learning at memorising the materials
they get in the classroom, but they are encouraged
to explore their knowledge further through the books
they read. Such a process is helping them to become
independent students.”
Fr Kasmir says the course, which has 25 students, started
earlier this year and now there is a long waiting list of
students for next term.
“Many others cannot be accommodated due to a
shortage of tutors,” he says.
At this point, Fr Sipri SVD and Sr Yuli SSpS are the only
teachers looking after the students.
“In its earliest stage, this English language course has
begun to bear its fruits, as the students are eager to learn
and to expand their knowledge. They are very grateful to
all friends and benefactors who have shown financial and
emotional support for their lives.”
The Divine Word Missionaries established St Francis
Parish in Atabae, and remain in pastoral ministry there.
In addition, Fr Sipri Kakut SVD, Parish Priest, has started
a dormitory for boys, accommodating about 30 students
from the parish junior high school of St Fransiskus Asisi.
At the same time, the Holy Spirit Sisters opened and are
looking after the girls’ dormitory.
“They are very grateful to
all friends and benefactors
who have shown financial
and emotional support for
their lives.”
