MLLC: Helping students to connect to the world

Multiple Language Learning Club (MLLC) is founded by Ismail Hossain Siraji from the Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Dhaka (DU), in an attempt to help DU students in language learning. At MLLC, students can learn any language from instructors by paying an entrance fee of just BDT 30.  This money is used to buy the boards, sound boxes, stands and markers for conducting the classes.

Ismail, with the help of Ibrahim Nafis from the Department of Arabic at DU, outlined the project and shortlisted the top students from each language department asinstructors. Then, he shared this idea on DU's Facebook group to reach out to the students. "For feasibility of work, I asked the interested students to comment with their contact numbers and the language they wanted to teach or learn," he added. Presently, there are 800 students enrolled in the classes. 25 instructors conduct English, Arabic, Persian, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese and German classes.

Ismail, who aspires to be a social entrepreneur, is also a food delivery rider at Pathao. The first class pf MLLC was conducted in April 2019, with 120 students, in front of Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban. These classes are held on Mondays and Fridays and usually last for an hour. The complete course of one year is divided into primary and intermediate levels. The top twenty students who pass the primary level join the intermediate level. 

Next year, the club intends to start some language classes in Jahangirnagar University and Jagannath University. Ismail also aspires to introduce the club to all districts of Bangladesh.

"Many people from Bangladeshare working abroad aslabourersand are discriminated against because of language barriers," says Ismail. "Knowing more than one language would help them in employment and in leading better lives."  Dr Mumit Al Rashid, Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, DU, who is also the Advisor of MLLC, added that the club plans to host linguistic conferences to develop the learning skills of the students.