ERF launches language club to improve communication skills

The Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) has launched a language club aimed at helping its members develop proficiency in foreign languages and enhance their global communication skills.

ERF President Doulot Akter Mala presided over the function while its General Secretary Abul Kashem moderated the event.

Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abu Abdullah M Saleh inaugurated the club at a ceremony held at the ERF auditorium in the capital on Sunday.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, Saleh said the government wants young people to learn three to four languages so that they can work for employers anywhere in the world while remaining based in Bangladesh.

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He urged the ERF to take the lead in organising language instruction for its members.

Saleh highlighted that advances in information technology have made the concept of the once unimaginable “worldwide classroom” a reality by enabling the instant transmission of information across the globe.

He called for cooperation between government and private institutions to advance such initiatives.

ERF founding convener and Financial Express Editor and CEO Shamsul Huq Zahid said English should remain the priority for journalists in their daily reporting work, while elementary skills in other languages, including Chinese, Japanese and French, could help members communicate with foreign nationals living in Bangladesh.

Md Emam Hossain, CEO and founder of Headman Academy, said language learning was most effective when it was enjoyable. He welcomed the prime minister's vision of creating opportunities for students to learn different languages, describing it as an important initiative for serving the nation.

ERF President Mala said the organisation had long envisioned establishing a language club where members could practise different languages.

She said proficiency in foreign languages could simplify journalists' daily reporting work and facilitate communication with foreigners, including embassy officials.

She also added that the ERF was exploring opportunities, potentially with the assistance of embassies, to help members learn multiple foreign languages.