Latest news with #ESOL
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford students learning English perform Shakespeare play
A group of students who came to West Yorkshire as refugees or asylum seekers are set to perform Shakespeare's The Tempest, after using the play as a way to improve their language teenagers are learning English at Bradford College, with some having only been studying the language for less than a year. Their teacher, Esther Wilkey, said learning the play has been more about understanding where language comes from rather than performing. The college has collaborated with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) for the past seven years, and is the only college in the country to use its programme with almost all its students learning English as a second language. Of the 40 ESOL (English speakers of other languages) students taking part, more than 20 nationalities will take part in the performance on Friday. ESOL lecturer Ms Wilkey said: "What is really powerful about this is we've got so many different nationalities and some of these countries are at war with each other, and we've got peace in our department." Explaining how she has taught her students the sometimes complex language of Shakespeare, she said: "What's really lovely is sometimes we will look at a text and I will say to them, what do you think that means? "And they will say, I don't know, and I will say, I don't know either let's work it out from the context. "That is really relevant to them, when they come here and they don't understand words. If they can work out the context, that transfers into working on GCSE English."The students have been studying The Tempest since September, and is a tale of shipwrecked strangers meeting on an island which has obvious parallels with their experience as refugees, making Shakespeare's language come alive. Student Daniel Ghadiri said: "I want to be honest with you, when we started Shakespeare, it was boring for me, and I was thinking why do we have to study Shakespeare in Bradford College? "But when we came to the performance it was interesting to me. "If I come to Bradford College next year, I want to do Shakespeare again." Habiba Syedi added: "It really helps me because Shakespeare obviously, it is the language and the vocabulary, it really helps to improve your speaking skills. "It improves everything like English, friends, teamwork, everything."Abdurrakhman Korzhavin said: "I enjoy because I can show my vision of character to everyone, and the teamwork, it is really helpful."The college was named the 2025 winner of Association of Colleges' The Bell Foundation Excellence in ESOL Award, for its innovative approach to English teaching thanks to its work with RSC. The performance coincides with Refugee Week, which is the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Western Telegraph
14-06-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Annual art exhibition at Pembroke Dock Library now open
The exhibition is being held at Pembroke Dock Library in Pembrokeshire. The exhibition is organised by Learning Pembrokeshire and will run until Thursday, June 27. It features artwork from learners at the Tenby and Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centres. Jenni Griffiths, lifelong learning manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: "Both members of staff will be greatly missed, and we wish them all the very best for the next exciting phase of their lives." Visitors can enjoy a variety of pieces created throughout the year, reflecting the dedication and progress of each participant. Art tutor Phil Allen curated the display. (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council) The exhibition opening on June 7 held special significance, as both Mr Allen and Sandra Evans, who organised the event, are retiring this summer. Mr Allen has been a tutor with Learning Pembrokeshire since 2016, bringing extensive experience from his adult education work in London. Ms Evans has served the Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centre for 35 years. Those interested in joining future classes are encouraged to reach out. Learning Pembrokeshire offers a range of courses, including free Essential Skills, ESOL, and IT classes. More information is available online. Alternatively, visit your nearest Community Learning Centre, call 01437 770130, or email learn@
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Lake-Sumter State College to offer new ESE bachelor's degree
Lake-Sumter State College will launch a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) starting in fall 2026 after the State Board of Education approved it on June 4th. The program aims to meet the high demand for certified ESE teachers in Lake and Sumter Counties. 'This is a big step for LSSC and our excited to train local ESE teachers with the help of Lake and Sumter County Schools.' Dr. Laura Byrd, LSSC's Interim President The program combines online and in-person classes, incorporates Reading and ESOL endorsements, and provides practical training at Lake Hills School. Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay said, 'Students will get real classroom experience, and our K-12 kids will benefit from dedicated ESE teachers.' 'With a higher-than-average ESE student population, we need more teachers. This program assists local educators in obtaining certification while they work." Logan Brown, Superintendent of Sumter County Schools This is LSSC's second education bachelor's degree, following its Elementary Education program, which started in 2024. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
ESOL Summer Bridge Program to begin in third year helping community
WILLIMANTIC — The English for Speakers of Other Languages Summer Bridge Program kicked off its third year at CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley in Willimantic. The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts funded the program through the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation. The $40,000 grant covers tuition and educational expenses for students with classes, field trips, tutoring and activities. The 10-week program aims to help improve language skills and prepare students for the fall semester as some transition from ESOL to degree paths at Quinbaug Valley. The past two iterations of the program have data that shows incredible gains, which include a 100% completion rate for those who registered for the 2024 fall semester. 'Summer is a long time to go without hearing and speaking English for many English Language Learner students,' said Elkin Espitia-Loaiza, Quinebaug Valley professor of ESOL and Spanish, Arts and Humanities, and ESOL program coordinator. 'This program has proven to be an effective way to bridge that gap; over the past two years, we have seen students gain the knowledge and confidence they need to excel at their studies. Without the Summer Bridge, many students would not be able to make the leap from ESOL to credit courses.' CT State Quinebaug Valley ESOL student Germán Méndez González, who has been in the program, shared their experience and the opportunities it has provided. 'My time in the Summer Bridge program has given me a chance to progress with my education and have more opportunities as I plan my future,' González said. 'I am grateful for the funds that make this experience possible and for what I have been able to accomplish.' CT State Quinebaug Valley Director of Institutional Advancement Monique Wolanin extended her appreciation to the SFFEA. 'Sincere thanks are due to the Scripps and Linda Marshall for their continued investments and confidence in our students, faculty, and the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation. Your gift is truly transformative,' Wolanin said. The foundation's mission is to provide scholarships and other financial support to Northeast Connecticut residents who want to pursue higher education.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Filipinos now 10% of roll, college celebrates culture
Due to a recent influx of Filipino students to a rural Southland school, students organised a celebration dinner to share their Southeast Asian culture and connect. This year the proportion of students from the Philippines at Menzies College has reached 10% and to celebrate, they threw a dinner party. International committee president Sarri Penus, 17, said there were a lot of new junior students at the school and the dinner was a chance for them all to get to know each other and their families. Guests were encouraged to bring a dish that showcased or represented their family, she said. There were 27 dishes on display in the school hall, brought by 20 families. The star of the show was the whole spit-roasted pig, or Lechón and there was also a dessert table featuring custard, coconut and rice-based delicacies. Sarri said they were going to have a traditional dance as entertainment for the evening, but decided that was not an authentic experience at a Filipino party. "As Filipinos we love to have celebrations and parties and all that stuff," she said. She said at birthdays, Christmas and other celebrations the Filipino standard was karaoke, which went on after dinner. Before dinner, Menzies principal Kath Luoni welcomed guests in Tagalog and said 10% Filipino representation was a massive change from when she first started 15 years ago, when there were none. "For quite a long time, the few Filipinos who did arrive would have felt quite isolated in our community. But it's so nice to see everybody here tonight and feel that sense of belonging and I'm very proud of that," she said. Nicholle Bedrijo, 16, came to the school eight years ago and said when she first started she knew only one other student who came from the Philippines. "Even though I progressed through school without that many Filipino peers, I'm very happy to see the younger Filipino students bonding," she said. ESOL teacher Maura Dakin, who helped organise the event, said that the number of new incoming students from the Philippines in the junior school was more like 20%. She said most of them arrived with perfect English. Gore District Council community development co-ordinator Guillaume Willemse also spoke and reminded newcomers to the district to reach out to the council for support. A raffle for Ronald McDonald House, drawn on the night, raised a "tidy" sum of money, Ms Dakin said. "I believe this will be the first of many future Filipino celebration events," she said.
