Volunteer Name: Yasmin K. Walji
Location: Syria and Afghanistan
Task: Establish an English as a Second Language (ESL) Enrichment Program for nursing students
Impact Made:
- Assisted 26 students in completing an ESL program to enable them to compete successfully and gain access to quality education
Full Story:
Aga Khan University School of Nursing (AKUSON), Pakistan has been working to improve nursing education in the developing world for over 30 years. AKUSON launched its general diploma program in 1980 and the program has since expanded to offer a Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing. AKUSON (Pakistan) currently supports nursing education in Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The overall goal is to build nursing human resources by establishing international standards for nursing education and practices.
In Afghanistan, a major challenge for aspiring students is the English language. Like many developing countries, Afghanistan offers instruction in the national language, Dari. As a result of the dominance of English as an international language for education and career advancement in today’s meritocratic world, AKUSON instructs all courses in the English language to best prepare its students for success. In order to address this language gap, AKUSON initiated the English as a Second Language (ESL) Enrichment Program in Kabul, Afghanistan. This program is designed to enable Afghan candidates to pass the admissions exam and access better educational opportunities. Over time, the program has been tailored to meet the specific needs of the students by also providing them with social, cultural and emotional support.
The ESL program was first developed in 2008 and implemented in Syria during two-six month terms with the excellent support of Yasmin Walji, a TKN volunteer from the United Kingdom. Yasmin subsequently delivered an ESL teaching program in Afghanistan. She is a certified ESL Instructor as well as a State Registered Nurse (SRN), a State Certified Midwife (SCM), and possesses a Post Graduate Certification in Newborn Intensive Care from the UK. Yasmin combined her knowledge of nursing and English to formulate content-based curricula for the Enrichment Program, which included English, nursing subjects, math and general science. Teaching methodologies included classroom instructions, the art of debating, resume writing, interview practice as well as field trips to hospitals and historical sites. The beneficiaries of this ESL Enrichment Program are practicing nurses and 12th graders who are aspiring to pursue a Bachelor of Science Program at AKUSON.
The formal launch of the ESL Enrichment Program in Afghanistan started in 2010. A total of 55 candidates took the placement test; 31 candidates were accepted and 26 completed the program. The 600+ hours of the ESL Enrichment Program commenced in October 2010 and concluded in March 2011. Students were assessed through weekly quizzes, essay writing, and comprehensive monthly tests. At the conclusion of the Enrichment Program, 26 successful students were presented with a certificate of participation during a ceremony held at Ghazanfar Institute of Health Sciences (GIHS). The ESL Enrichment Program was provided at no cost to the students and greatly benefitted them in enhancing their understanding and proficiency in the English language and various nursing subjects.
The ESL Enrichment Program is a critical pre-requisite for students whose language of instruction in schools is other than English. Yasmin Walji’s contribution as a TKN volunteer has made a significant impact in preparing these students to compete successfully in their academic and professional lives. Yasmin’s dedication and professionalism on this assignment were highly appreciated by AKUSON.
