🌍 The Journey of English Gateway 🌍

English Gateway was founded by Damian Lee Dowie, a passionate and experienced educator who believes English education should be accessible, engaging, and life-changing, no matter your background.

After teaching young learners at international schools in Myanmar and spending nearly four years teaching in Sri Lanka, Damian developed a deep understanding of what truly works in the language-learning journey.

He recognised that traditional classroom models often lack:

• 🌱 Engagement

• 🧩 Flexibility

• 🤝 Real human connection
  
  

And so, the idea was born: to create a student-led, facilitator-supported, centre-based learning model, where learners progress at their own pace with structure, creativity, and real-life communication at the core.

🔑 The English Gateway Learning Model

Our course is built around what works: real learning, real connection, real progress:

🔹 Engaging, activity-based course books from CEFR A1 to C1
🔹 Short stories & project-based learning to spark curiosity and critical thinking
🔹 Grammar & speaking exercises with a focus on practical, everyday English
🔹 Weekly topic-based workshops to build fluency, confidence, and self-expression

💻 A Unique & Eco-Friendly Learning Approach

One of the things that makes English Gateway truly different is how students store and share their work.

Every student creates their own Google Sites website, a digital portfolio of their entire learning journey. With step-by-step guidance from a facilitator, students learn how to:

• 📂 Organise their course work

• 📖 Complete journals and assessments

• 🎥 Upload speaking videos and reflections

• 🌱 Track their personal growth
  
  

Alongside this, students also complete a Canva mini course to help them:

• Design their own learning materials

• Submit their course books digitally

• Enhance their creativity and presentation skills
  
  

This modern method is paperless, eco-conscious, and cost-effective - saving ink, saving trees, and making learning truly digital.

📍 Where It All Began

The journey started at Meth Bo Sewana Meditation Centre, near Galle, Sri Lanka, 

where monks, students, and community members expressed a strong desire to improve their English.

In response, Damian designed English Gateway as a self-led learning hub, supported by facilitators who guide and empower students to take full ownership of their learning experience.

🌐 A Complete Online Learning Support System

To enhance the entire experience, we created:

👉 englishgateway.online
A dedicated online platform offering:

• Downloadable course books and short stories

• Grammar and pronunciation support

• Interactive tools and self-study resources

• Digital spaces for journal entries, videos, and speaking tasks
  
  

It’s a one-stop learning hub, designed for the real world: flexible, paperless, and always accessible.

🎧 Why Speaking & Listening Matter Most

While grammar has its place, the biggest challenge for most learners is speaking and pronunciation, especially when understanding native English speakers.

That’s why English Gateway places strong emphasis on:

• 🎤 Conversational fluency

• 👂 Listening activities

• 🤝 Real interaction with native speakers

• 📹 Video-based speaking practice

Because it’s confidence and clarity, not perfection, that open doors in real communication.

🎯 Our Mission

🔹 To provide structured, high-quality English education
🔹 To promote independent, self-led learning with facilitator guidance
🔹 To operate as a non-profit hub, making learning accessible to all
🔹 To inspire a new generation of learners who think critically, communicate confidently, and take charge of their futures

With over 75% of the world using English, learning to speak it correctly, clearly, and confidently opens the gateway to a world of opportunity.

And that’s exactly what we’re here to do.

Welcome to English Gateway.
Let’s build your future - together.