Prima/Wintec, in New Zealand, collaborated with hospitals in Malaysia to create a new learning space for 50 Malaysian health workers. Blended, computer-based, place-based and service-training methodologies were combined to deliver an English course to a group of IT operators, secretaries, food service assistants, cashiers, receptionists, clinical and pharmacy assistants, physiotherapists and radiographers. The learners ranged in English competency from Beginner to Advanced. They also ranged in age and ethnicity.
Prima managed the train-the-trainer sessions and facilitated the students’ first face-to-face class which included pre-course documentation and assessment. All students were also provided with online access and introduced to the navigation process.
The 12 face-to-face lessons were delivered every second Saturday by the Malaysian-based teachers who were supported and supervised throughout. Each face-to-face lesson focused on a specific topic and included language and pronunciation activities completed through pair and group work. That same topic was then supported through the online delivery. Between each face-to-face lesson, the students accessed the online course and worked independently through the materials.
The progress of students and teachers was closely supervised in Malaysia and New Zealand. Because the course was funded by the Malaysian-based employer, it was considered compulsory for all students to attend and complete. Close monitoring resulted in a 100% completion rate, and all students achieved a measurable rise in English competency. This same model is now being replicated in other organisations around English for Business and Hospitality.