Solutions Festival | Community Action Project Presentation on Spoken English

At the Solutions Festival, participants of School for Social Transformation (SST) 8.0 continued to present community-driven ideas shaped through lived realities and educational concerns. The next presentation was by Muhammed Rashid V. P., who introduced his Community Action Project titled “English Speaking Lab – An Initiative for Expression.”

About the Project

Rashid’s project focuses on high school students in government schools across Kozhikode district. While Kerala has achieved high literacy rates, many students still struggle to use English as a spoken language, as exam-oriented classrooms remain largely textbook-based and offer limited space for oral expression and confidence-building.

As a result, students often experience reduced participation in English-instructed spaces, feelings of inferiority and hesitation, and disadvantages in competitive exams, college admissions, and career opportunities. These barriers limit not only academic growth but also students’ ability to express themselves and engage confidently with the wider world.

The Proposed Solution

The project proposes establishing a community-based English Speaking Lab for 20 high school students per batch, conducted after school hours. The lab is envisioned as a learner-centric and engaging learning space where students develop spoken English through participation, play, reflection, and dialogue.

The lab will use gamified and interactive activities, dialogue-based learning methods, critical pedagogical tools, and thoughtful use of AI for learning support. Through regular sessions, students will practise speaking in a safe, non-judgmental environment that encourages confidence, creativity, and effective communication.

Why It Matters

This presentation highlighted that language learning is not just about grammar or fluency, it is about voice, dignity, and expression. Rashid’s project reframes English learning as a human process, where students learn to speak not just correctly, but courageously.

It recognises that confidence in communication can open doors to education, opportunity, and self-worth.

A Step Forward

As part of the Solutions Festival, this presentation stood as a commitment to educational equity. By creating a space where students can speak freely, make mistakes, and grow, the project lays the foundation for young learners to find their voices, ensuring that language becomes a bridge, not a barrier, in their lives.