June 3rd Update

​The monsoon has returned to Yangon, which signifies the end of summer for us and our students, as such our students have returned to the Myanmar public school system for their regular instruction during the week, and we continue their English and computer skill training on the weekends.  Upon completion of the grading of the student’s test, several of our 1st-year students have progressed far enough along (ahead of expectations) that we have promoted them to the class with 2nd-year students.  For our first-year classes, test results are very positive with 82% of our students meeting expectations or above, and 24% of our students are exceeding or far exceeding expectations.  Of those who are not yet meeting expectations, most are only slightly behind the rest of the class.  
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Our 2nd-year students are doing slightly better with 84% of our students meeting expectations or above; with 37% exceeding or far exceeding expectations.   To further validate the 2nd year students test results, next week each student will be given an internationally standardized test to measure where they score on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).   The students are excited to have the opportunity to measure how their English skills compare on a global scale. 

Our goal by the end of year three (3) classes, is for the each of our students to be at least the B1 level of the CEFR scale (The ability to express oneself in a limited way in familiar situations and to deal in a general way with nonroutine information.) and hopefully to get some of our more promising students to the B2 level (The capacity to achieve most goals and express oneself on a range of topics.).  As a point of reference, an educated native speaker of English typically speaks at a level of C1 or C2.  Test results will be available next week.  

​Solomon Shwe Oke (Esther Project Myanmar)