This project has helped highlight the relationship between Jamaican and Standard English and raised the self-esteem of learners through a better appreciation of their language and culture. An important aspect of the project is a ten-week course whereby students learn about the distinctive vocabulary and grammar of Jamaican, the first language of some of the students.

Participants prepare a project to present during the last lesson. Presentations include singing, dancing, costumes and artefacts, historical accounts, storytelling and personal reflections. All students have had an opportunity to reflect on the nature of the language and to learn about Jamaican culture and history.

The decision to use the term ‘Jamaican’ rather than ‘Creole’ or ‘Patois’ is fundamental to the aims of the course. Jamaica 2K has been successful in its aim to have Jamaican accepted as an option in the Institute of Linguists Diploma in Public Service Interpreting, which is now available at City College, where the ten-week course also takes place.