Free English Classes Give Children Hope for Future
Nearly 40 poor children in Trapeang Sangke community are getting free English lessons. Photo: Chhum Chantha
- By Khorn Champa
- April 25, 2024 7:25 PM
KAMPOT – Nearly 40 poor children in Trapeang Sangke community are getting free English lessons to give them a foundation in the language to use in the future and to help communication with tourists.
Sob Karim has been teaching English for young students at the Teuk Chhou district community for four months. He uses the community’s library to teach students who can’t afford private school fees.
Sob Karim has been teaching English for young students at the Teuk Chhou district community for four months. Photo: Chhum Chantha
Karim, an English teacher at Kampong Kes High School, said he wanted the children in the village to have a strong English foundation to help them with their studies and for future job opportunities.
“Some families could not pay the fees so I initiated this class to help them,” he said.
“When they study at university, they use English to communicate. When they work, this English could assist them too.”
Community’s library is used to teach students who can’t afford private school fees. Photo: Chhum Chantha
Community head Sim Him expressed his appreciation to Karim for teaching the children. As well as helping the children, their English skills are also expected to help the community.
Him said that when they know more English, they can spread more information about the community to other people, especially foreigners.
“Many foreigners come but our community committee members do not speak English. We depend on our next generation,” he said.
Him said that English is crucial because Trapeang Sangke is a tourism-based community.
Karim is an English teacher at Kampong Kes High School. Photo: Chhum Chantha
The free class, however, faces issues including lack of material and books. Him said his community is seeking help from NGO partners.
“If they have chance to study abroad, this English is very important especially during the test,” Karim said.
Karim planned to teach English for three years, the period he said would help children to understand or use the language.
Orignally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Torn Chanritheara for Cambodianess.
