More than 40 clients of Voices in Exile celebrated the completion of their pre-entry and entry level English language studies at the end of the summer term. Many brought Afghan and Iranian food to share at the event to celebrate their achievements and to thank teachers, childminders and volunteers for their work across the year.
Building skills and confidence
The ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) classes were run by qualified and highly experienced teacher, Tilly, who taught ViE clients at St Mary’s Community Hall in Kemp Town.
“Language skills are key to our sense of belonging and our place within a community,” says Tilly. “ESOL classes are therefore a vital strand of Voices in Exile’s work to support refugees and vulnerable migrants in Brighton and East Sussex. They give practical skills but they also build confidence, friendships and a vital sense of community among those who attend.”
Overcoming challenges together
Tilly acknowledges the challenges faced by clients and the significant distance travelled since the classes started last year: “The ability range amongst our clients was huge. Some were unable to hold a pen having never been to school in Afghanistan. Others were confident with English at Levels 1 and 2. We helped the beginners over the year most because their need was the greatest. To keep focus and motivation for each client they were given workbooks tailored to their level of ability and homework which was marked regularly.”
Tilly is generous in her praise of childminders and volunteers who enabled clients to receive the one-to-one tuition that she says was essential. “We were very fortunate with our child minders, Azadeh and Sheri, who were wonderful with the little children not old enough to go to nursery and therefore came to class with their mothers.”
Finding friendship and belonging
While proud of clients’ success in improving their language skills enabling next steps in education or work, Tilly explained how the classes have also given clients broader skills and have provided a vital lifeline to counter isolation and opportunities to develop friendships and a wider sense of community.
“The classes have enabled clients to meet and get to know one another in a friendly and informal environment,” she says. “They joined a WhatsApp group run by the very impressive Fareshta and strong friendships have been formed. The success of this group is down to the motivation of the clients, tailored resources and a fantastic group of volunteers.”
Paarwana is a client and regular attendee of the ESOL classes. She agrees that the classes have been about much more than learning, important though that has been. “I really enjoyed the classes,” she says. “I’ve met different people and different friends. When I came here at first I was alone and I found lots of different friends. Often my husband comes too. It was very good for both of us. We got a lot of confidence and learnt a lot about Brighton. The teachers were very kind.”
