The launch of a bi-lingual IT training project will take place on 26th May, as part of national Adult Learners Week.
The partnership project, between Dacorum Borough Council and Hemel Hempstead Library aims to provide opportunities for minority ethnic learners in Dacorum to train on computers using their mother-tongue, thereby encouraging them to access further learning and training.
"I’m really pleased that this project will not only benefit residents of Dacorum, but will spearhead the introduction of multi-lingual software in libraries across the county. The project couldn’t have got off the ground without the positive support and involvement from the local minority communities" said Santoshni Perera, the Council's Community Development Project Officer for Ethnic Minorities.
Training has been provided to a core group of bi-lingual IT tutors to deliver "Absolute Beginner" computer training giving instructions in mother-tongue, whilst using mother-tongue software.
The tutors are now ready to deliver computer training to learners for whom English is their second language using the computers at Hemel Hempstead library and at community venues using laptops.
Languages offered include Urdu, Gujarati, Chinese and Farsi. The organisers would also like to hear from any Arabic speakers who would like to be trained as tutors.
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This programme is funded by the Key Fund and Computing in the Community to be run until the end of 2006. Financial assistance was also received from the Cultural Learning Project of the DCVS for purchase of the specialist software and laptops.
Santoshni Perera (DBC) 01442 228493
Kathy Warden 01442 404655
