Security Personnel Undergo English Skills Development

Twenty security personnel will comprise the first batch of participants in the training that seeks to develop their basic English conversational and writing skills, on April 28 to May 2.

The English and Literature Department has created modules tailored-fit to the needs of the security guards on campus and other front-liners in the University. These modules were a response to the request of the Public Assistance and Safety Office (PASO), headed by Dr. Nichol R. Elman, to further equip the security personnel in dealing with the University’s constituencies and guests. This is also in preparation for the opening of School Year 2014-2015 and the influx of foreign students (Silliman hosts around 300 international students from close to 30 countries every school year.).

These modules on “Developing Conversational Competencies in the Workplace” (Level 1) and “Writing Incidental Reports” (Level 2) were designed by Department Chairperson Dr. Evelyn Mascuñana and faculty Prof. Myla June Patron. A third module will be released in May.

In order to establish the right fit, a needs assessment was done on the initial batch of security personnel by students of Professor Patron in both her EL 36 and English 214 (English for Specific Purposes) classes.

Silliman has close to a hundred security personnel on a shifting schedule taking charge of its main gates on its 62-hectare campus. Its arrangement with its contracted security agency considers gender equality. There are lady security personnel who are assigned at key buildings on campus.

Early this year, the College of Computer Studies rolled out a similar service-learning initiative. Security personnel on campus were divided in batches and taught how to use the computer and the internet.