Notes from Punjab

Amritsar is a beautifully busy city, with small lanes and the smell of parathas and butter that seems to follow you everywhere you go. The schools are airy and colorfully painted. There is usually a game of kabaddi or kho-kho happening in the playground. If you listen carefully, you will be able to hear the sound of children in class with ReadToMe, the software that helps them read and comprehend their English text books. You can hear the enthusiasm in their voices as they learn English.

How Students in Punjab Learn English

RightToRead was launched in Punjab in 2013 and has covered 500 schools, enabling over 70,000 students to learn English. The children come to school from varying social backgrounds. Many are from subsistence farming families, others come from daily wage homes or similar. So many children we spoke to worked jobs after or before school to help their families.

Vikas from class 8, works from 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm after school every day as a  mechanic. Nitesh goes to work at the small shop his mother runs for 2 hours before getting ready for school. Tanya makes the meals for her father and brother before and after school. Despite all this, these students try to take out time for their studies every day.

In each class we observed the students were sincere and keen to learn. The teachers diligently followed the methodology of listening, repeating, and reading very carefully. Almost inevitably, the ReadToMe assisted process seemed to magically make the class come alive. The favorite tool of the region seems to be the Translate Tool. “Many times, when I am reading I do not know the meaning of something but if you use Translate an ‘oh! This means that’ moment happens!” says Vishal Singh.

Teachers Response to ReadToMe

Lakhwinder Kaur, the English teacher of GHS Gopalpura summed up the program’s impact beautifully when she said, “This product is amazing because even if the teacher is not there, the students are able to take class on their own. ReadToMe is very helpful for the children’s vocabulary and confidence, especially when they are learning something new. Even those who are at level zero will have the confidence to try and read in class.” She talks about a student Nitesh, who she suspects might have dyslexia and is unable to do well in exams. However, he actively participates in the ReadToMe classes and is able to read, as well as answer questions confidently and correctly.

Students Response to Learning with ReadToMe

The desire to learn English is strong. When I asked why they wanted to learn English, I met with a variety of answers, “For our future”, “So we can talk to those who do not understand Hindi or Punjabi”, “If someone asks us to read something that is written in English, we should be able to read and understand”, “Because I want to become an English teacher”, and “Because I want to be an IAS officer and make my parents proud. For that I will need English” are just some of the answers I received.

We are excited and energized by our Punjab experience. We are committed to delivering the hopes and dreams of children all over India with RightToRead.

– Written by a member of the EnglishHelper Team.

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