Jamaicans Encouraged to Improve English Language Skills

President of the University College of the Caribbean, Mr. Winston Adams, is encouraging Jamaicans to improve their English language skills.
“We have a chronic problem in this country, in terms of our written language and that has been the experience in many workplaces; therefore, I encourage us all to polish our language skills in all forms,” he said.
Mr. Adams was speaking at the launch of the book, ‘The Power of Words’, written by Author/Poet, Ms. Erika Heslop, and printed by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). The ceremony was held on November 1, at Eden Garden, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, in Kingston.
The President noted that persons were often overlooked for promotion at their workplaces, because of their poor use of the English language.
“They are ambitious, but very often they are denied these promotions, although they might be the most qualified and most experienced, simply because of their poor use of the spoken and written language, particularly the written language,” he said.

‘The Power of Words’, a poetry book written by Ms. Erika Heslop, on display during the launch, at Eden Gardens, in Kingston, on November 1.

In her remarks, Miss Heslop told the gathering to focus on their goals and to work hard to achieve them.
“If you want to be an author, an accountant, a doctor, a lawyer, a pastor, the president of a company or a country, speak it into being and work hard to achieve it. Don’t be discouraged by negative and bad-minded people. Focus on the prize and move towards it,” she said.
Miss Heslop, who is an accountant by profession, authored another poetry book, ‘A Poetic Revelation’, which was launched on February 3, 2008.
Several of her poems titled, ‘I am in love with Poetry’, ‘Live life to the fullest’, ‘Look out world’, ‘Life in the fast lane’, ‘Bad mind’, and ‘Strive Asafa, you are blessed’, were read and dramatised at the function.
The programme also featured songs by Mrs. Anna Kay Daley and Mr. Alric Gray and a musical presentation by Mrs. Jean Martin.
Also at the launch were Ms. Heslop’s mother, Mrs. Edna Heslop and her brother, Mr. Michael Heslop and former students of Camperdown High School and the University of Technology (UTech).