British volunteers to teach English to Spanish jobless in Javea.

DESPITE budget cuts, the Javea Department of Economic Development and Department of Foreign Residents have joined forces to continue with English language courses for the unemployed in their town.

This was made possible by an agreement between CREAMA, the “Consortium for Economic Recovery” the “Activity in the Marina Alta”, and volunteer teachers, mainly British, tested for the level of Spanish needed to communicate with the approximately 75 students already enrolled in the scheme.

The project is a pioneer programme in which the town hall maximises the potential of residents of all nationalities on a free service basis whose only reward will be, “the gratification of being able to help the unemployed of their town,” according to the Councillor responsible for integration, Oscar Anton.

Courses have been designed to cover all aspects of language needs ranging from basic and intermediate to advanced stressing the fact that senior students will be able to obtain higher qualifications in all economic sectors, as well helping their personal development and confidence.

Javea Mayor José Chulvi, expressed his hope that this programme would help many out of work students to enter the job market, a comment shared by Juan Luis Cardona, Councillor for Economic Development.

The course commenced Monday September 26 and will be spread over a 60 hours period Depending on student demand and availability of teachers, it is hoped to continue the project through the winter extending to alternative languages.

By Benny Davis