English Immersion Program 2024: Participants share their experiences.
Since 2021 Hekima University College has offered an English Language Immersion Program during the summer holidays. The program targets Jesuits from French and Portuguese-speaking countries who wish to improve their English language proficiency in order to proceed with their Theology or Philosophy studies at Hekima and Arrupe Jesuit University, which are English-speaking institutions.
This year the program attracted nine participants: two from Arrupe Jesuit University who have gone back to continue with their philosophy studies; three from Madagascar Province are staying at HUC to begin Theology; one from AOC Province is also joining Hekima Jesuit School of Theology, and one student at Hekima Peace Studies and International Relations, who is going into second year of the MA.
HUC Principal Rev. Dr. Marcel Uwineza officially welcomed the participants at the start of the program, during which he expressed his gratitude to them for coming to Hekima to improve their English language skills. He encouraged them to take the program seriously as it prepares them to partake their further studies in English learning Institutions. He also thanked the participants’ superiors who sent the students to Hekima to partake in this great program. Dr. Uwineza also shared with the participants a brief history of Hekima and the institution’s progress.
Speaking at the end of the program, where they gathered to receive certificates of participation, the participants lauded the program, saying that it has made a difference in their mastery of the English language. Even though they expressed concern over the shortness of the program’s duration, as it seems insufficient for a person who has not had much interaction with English throughout their lives, they felt that the two tutors who handled the program did extremely well.
Below is a summary of their comments:
Rabarivelo Malalatiana Richella, Madagascar: Since I started my studies at HUC last year, I have always been afraid to speak English. This program has helped to boost my confidence, and I can speak more English than just Malagasy and French!
Kanban Kol SJ, Chad: I came a bit late when the group had gone quite far, so I had to be in class alone because I could not catch up. Being alone in class is not easy because the teacher is the only person I can discuss with. However, I appreciate the program because it has helped me a lot to improve my English, and I look forward to more interactions in English.
Fanomezantsoa Emile SJ, Madagascar: I am grateful to God for this program and also to our two teachers who have been of great help during this Immersion program. I think two months is not enough for a person to learn a new language. But if we continue interacting with others, we will learn more. As for me, I will continue to study the language in other ways, such as by listening to radio, YouTube, and audiobooks. Throughout my study life and my regency, everything has been in the French language; therefore, two months is really not enough for me, and if Hekima can get us some arrangements to continue with the English Language studies that would be great.
Evina Serge SJ, Cameroon: It has been a pleasure to meet all my fellow participants in this immersion program, and I thank HUC and all who have supported us during the two months that we have been here. The program has been a time for me to discover many things about the English language, a time for me to create relationships with others and a time for me to rest. It has also been a time for me to meditate because when you learn something new, you have to meditate upon it so that you deepen your understanding. I thank my companions in this program, the HUC communications department, and everyone who has supported us in one way or another, and all the best to everyone.
Isaac Niyotwiringiye SJ, Rwanda: I’m thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to participate in the Immersion Program. It was a great pleasure to be here; I appreciate and take seriously whatever I learned here. I learned many things, not just in the English language but also in many aspects of life. Even if we are not yet fluent in English, we can confidently express ourselves in English, and this is a good step, thanks to the contribution of our teachers. I also thank my companions during the program because you have contributed in one way or another towards improving our mastery of the English language here through our interactions and conversations. Thank you all.
Matama Mputu Venance SJ, DRC: When my provincial told me that I was going to do my Theology in Hekima, I was a bit afraid because I didn’t have confidence in my English language. That is why I asked to come early so that I could participate in the Immersion program. My first challenge was at the airport when I arrived in Nairobi because the driver who came to pick me up from the airport only spoke English and Kiswahili, so I had to try my best to converse with him during the journey from the airport to Hekima in order to be polite. When the Immersion program started, I could write some words in English, but speaking was a big challenge. I can confidently say that I have improved, thanks to our teachers who kept us engaged in all aspects of the language: speaking, writing, listening, and also watching movies.
My listening skills also improved because we were not just watching movies for entertainment; each of us had to take the floor and say something about the movie we’d just watched. I thank HUC, especially the Communications Department, for this program and all who supported us throughout this program, especially our teachers. They pushed us to do our best. When it comes to language, you must learn to speak because knowing grammar and being able to write well in English is not enough. Speaking skills are very important as this enables one to communicate with the people out there.
Ratolojanahary Toky Mahandriniazy Bertrand SJ, Madagascar: Before coming to Hekima, I communicated many times with the assistant registrar when I inquired about the documents needed for my admission. She must have noticed how bad my English language was! What I can say about this program is that we had the best teachers. The two, Madam Purity and Mr. Sebastian, alternating during the sessions, helped me a lot to improve my English language, especially the grammar, where I had a lot of challenges. Previously, I had a problem with self-confidence since I did not trust myself and the English Language proficiency level I got after taking the language entry test. I thought that I should be on a much lower level; I even asked the teachers to move me to the lower level, but they urged me to stay on; they helped build my confidence, and I feel very different now. If there is a chance for us to continue with some sort of English language learning, I propose that the focus be more on writing skills since we will need this more for our theology academic work. Otherwise, I am grateful to all who have supported us during the program: our teachers, who have been very available and dedicated to us; the communications office that has paid attention to our progress; and to my fellow participants in the program, who have made the journey together worthwhile.
Razafindrakoto Onjaniaina Jean Luc SJ, Madagascar: In my country, we only speak French and Malagasy, and this is a problem because I have not interacted with the English Language much. It is, therefore, a big challenge for me to speak and express myself in English. When I arrived here, I had the very basics when it comes to speaking, writing, and even listening to people as they speak English, especially when they do it very fast. However, these two months have been helpful, and I have confidence that, slowly by slowly, I will cope. I thank our English teachers, who have been great. They have patience and encouraged us a lot as we journeyed together during the two months of the immersion program.
Samba Cristiano Moises SJ, Angola: I come from Angola, where we speak Portuguese, and this is my first time coming to an English-speaking country. My interaction with the English language has, therefore, been very limited. In addition, I have not studied any English language before, and therefore, coming for this program has been very helpful to me as part of my preparation to study theology in the English language. I am therefore grateful to God for the opportunity and to everyone we have journeyed together during the two months. Each one of you has played a role in helping me improve my English skills. In addition to our interactions during the sessions, I have been listening to the radio and YouTube and trying to read some books, which has helped me a lot.
As this year’s program comes to an end and HUC looks forward to a new academic year, it is clear that the English Immersion Program 2024 has been a success. HUC Communications Director Dr. Anthony Egan, SJ applauded the participants and urged them to adhere to four aspects in order to improve their English: read more, watch movies in English, listen as much as possible, and practice writing and talking. He thanked the participants for sharing their experiences and for being courageous enough to take the study. He said that it takes a lot of courage to learn a new language and particularly to study in a foreign language.
By Pamela Adinda, HUC Communications Coordinator