At 16, Jimmy, who grew up in a “bad kampong”, was in a gang. At 18, he went into prison for the first time, and that became a recurring thing over the next 40 years of his life. When he was released most recently at the age of 58, Singapore felt like a foreign place to him, with signs, notices, magazines and workplaces almost all in English. Back in the gangs, speaking English would have gotten you labelled “arrogant”, a show-off; business was done in Chinese dialect or Mandarin. Now, he just wants to leave the past behind and feel accepted and respected in society. And especially, he wants to be able to join the English services at his church and sing the hymn Amazing Grace in English. Over 12 weeks, Jimmy was given free one-to-one coaching as part of CNA’s #WriteOfPassage Project. (watch the 3-part series https://cna.asia/2Zdg626 ). We follow up with him a couple of months later, In this digital exclusive, to find out how his improved English skills have benefitted him. 00:00 A feared gang leader in his past 00:32 English was shunned in his circles 01:17 Embarrassed by his poor English today 02:35 Progress in lessons 03:42 Using new skills at work 03:59 Better at fitness workouts 04:42 Singing Amazing Grace in English Watch how other adult Singaporeans overcome illiteracy, in the full series of Write of Passage here: Part 1: https://youtu.be/EbUNOJWlLuY Part 2: https://youtu.be/R-KFZrOo2Rc Part 3: https://youtu.be/2vOfJZBdvAA Also watch: Mum Learns English To Help 11-Year-Old Daughter With Spelling: https://youtu.be/QB2DSu9g-dc Finding Out I've Dyslexia At 40- And Learning To Overcome It: https://youtu.be/_eZQAcfeZlU Dingyao Learns English: https://youtu.be/_kHk5DBaPj8 For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER! https://cna.asia/insideryoutubesub Follow CNA INSIDER on: Instagram: https://ift.tt/2C3sZiR Facebook: https://ift.tt/2PPEuNA Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider
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