The Center is mandated among other duties to promote the use of English, the medium of instruction at Kigali Independent University ULK and ULK Polytechnic, among the campus community. A language is a precious treasure that opens numerous windows of opportunities to the person using it as without it, we cannot easily pass our views across.
Indeed, Chinese people were right when they said, “To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world”. This proverb is true in its entirety because no one can get to know the realities from across the globe without mastering the languages used in the world of business. Still here, English is believed to be the leading language when it comes to connecting many nationalities around the world. International summits, global events, international businesses and the like, are all mainly held in English. This, therefore, gives the English language a fertile ground.
Aware of the above, the ULK Center of Languages put English at the forefront whereby students are trained and enabled to have a good command of English be it in listening, speaking, reading or writing. The first two months of the new academic year are solely reserved for sharpening students’ minds in English by engaging them into conversational practices such as debates, dialogues, speeches, poem reciting, sketches, acting plays, name it.
It should be noted however that the duties of the center do not end at the level of imparting English skills to students. The Center also carries out some other linguistic tasks geared towards the promotion of languages on the campus. Languages such as French, Swahili, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic are some other languages the Center aspires to introduce and the project is still in the pipeline pending the due time.
To those who find language learning an uphill battle, we may tell them that there is nothing easier than learning a new language. What it only requires is the passion, courage, and confidence to use that language both in formal and informal settings.
As I conclude, I would like to reiterate that the CELA team stands ready to fight tooth and nail to help everyone coming to the center break communication barriers. As language specialists, we know your entire linguistic problems through and through and we will move earth and heaven to be by your side through thick and thin.
Once again, welcome to the ULK Center of Languages (CELA)
Jean Baptiste MANIRAKIZA
Director of CELA
