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COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/22 July) — The lack in English language proficiency has reportedly placed many graduates of the Cotabato State Polytechnic College at a disadvantage vis-à-vis other job applicants particularly when it comes to interviews. But college president Dr. Dingan Ali said a solution is already in sight.
Ali was referring to the Job Enabling English Proficiency Project (Jeep) of the Growth with Equity in Mindanao, in which 400 freshmen enrolled this semester.
The project is designed to equip students with the English language skills needed for gainful employment in sectors such as business process outsourcing, travel and tourism, nursing and allied healthcare, maritime services and other areas of international business.
Jeep comprises two groups of courses offered to qualified English students. The first, called Jeep Start, lasts for a year and includes computer-assisted instruction to develop advanced general English language skills.
The second course, Jeep–Accelerate which also takes a year, utilizes mixed-mode instruction and focuses on English for specific purposes.
It prepares students to take the international English tests and helps them hone their answering skills in job interviews, as means to obtaining gainful employment.
On Wednesday, United States officials headed by Under Secretary William Burns headed the turnover of 41 Jeep computers to the Cotabato State Polytechnic College.
Burns in his media briefing said that the effort is part of his government’s commitment to peace and prosperity in Mindanao by pushing education advancement. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)