Yeovil College’s ESOL Programmes Transform Lives

These courses are designed to open doors to endless opportunities, from securing employment to enhancing communication skills. Our next set of ESOL programmes will be starting week commencing the 16^th of September. Here are some inspiring stories from our dedicated learners:

Ka Ho Ryan Ng from Hong Kong, an Entry Level 2 ESOL learner, shares his journey:
“I chose to study this course to improve my English and vocabulary. Previously, I struggled to communicate with others, but now I have much more confidence. I can talk to my son’s teacher. My experience at Yeovil College has been very good. I am part of a big class which allows me to talk to lots of other students from different cultures, letting me practice my skills. In the future, I would like to have my own retail shop and sell Asian food and ingredients. My English is already much better, but I would like to be able to communicate with my customers well.”

Sylwia Poprawska from Poland, also an Entry Level 2 ESOL learner, shares her experience:
“I decided to study this course as I’m a hairdresser and believed I needed the skills to better communicate with my clients. Everything about Yeovil College has been very good, especially the teachers and the people. I plan to work my way up through the course, from Level 1 to Level 3. Being able to speak English is such an important skill; it allows you to speak to friends and be open to everybody!”

Sharan Alla from Ukraine, a dedicated Entry Level 2 ESOL learner, says:
“One of my friends recommended the ESOL course to me, and I decided to join as I find it frustrating not being able to communicate with people. Plus, I would like to find a better job. Yeovil College is perfect for me as it’s close to home, so I can ride my bike in. The morning classes let me plan for the rest of the day. It’s incredible that the students in lessons are from all over the world, allowing me to hear from people with different backgrounds but all the same goal. The classes are comfortable but also challenge you to the best of your ability, making my brain work!”

Kaili Wang from China, another passionate Entry Level 2 ESOL learner, shares her aspirations:
“I started the programme in December, as I wanted to be able to better communicate with the other parents, teachers, and friends at my children’s school. My experience at Yeovil College has been really good; the teachers have been incredible. After completing the course and passing my exams, I plan on attending university to study Marketing. I previously worked in Sales and Marketing in China, but to attend university in England, I need to create a portfolio, so I want to build up my skills.”

Maria Calvar from Spain, currently studying our Entry Level 2 ESOL programme, says:
“I began the course in September, and I could not have asked for a better experience since starting. All the staff have been incredibly helpful and kind. There is amazing technology, facilities, and classrooms. It is a quiet environment allowing me to easily concentrate, and I enjoy using the library to read. YC has also been convenient for me; the transport is very easy, allowing me to catch the bus close to my home. Everything at Yeovil College has been perfect! I hope to continue improving my skills and communication whilst studying. My goal is to be able to understand more, speak better, and be more confident in myself. I look forward to having conversations with neighbours and friends.”

Sara Costa from Brazil, an Entry Level 3 ESOL learner, shares her journey:
“I previously studied English many years ago, but since recently moving to Yeovil, the first thing I decided to do was enrol on the ESOL course to continue improving my skills. My last English course was online, but I much prefer the face-to-face classes at Yeovil College. My experience of studying here has been very good; our teacher is very helpful and passionate about our learning. I also like what the College has to offer us. In the future, I hope to take my GCSEs and progress to studying more courses at the College, then successfully get a job in my area.”

Stephen Buscaino from the Philippines, currently studying our Entry Level 3 ESOL programme, says:
“I chose to study the ESOL course as I want to start a Computing course at Yeovil College or try an Apprenticeship, but first I need to build up my English skills so I can achieve that. I also hope to gain better communication skills, talk to more people, and make new friends throughout my time here. So far, Yeovil College has been really good and fun. I like all the staff and teachers; they are all really friendly. I would recommend it to anyone!”

Annarita Maio from Italy, a dedicated Entry Level 3 ESOL learner and 2024 Shining Star Award Winner, shares:
“After moving to England with my family due to my husband’s work, I found that I needed to improve my English to be able to speak to others and have a good experience. I enjoy the interaction between students and teachers, and there’s lots of time for discussions and topics. Our teacher has been amazing; she is really kind with the students and always encourages and supports us. I have also thoroughly enjoyed the ESOL Book Club, which has helped to improve my reading and writing. I love coming to Yeovil College, so much so that I wish the classes were longer!”

Saheli Saha from India, an Entry Level 3 ESOL student, shares her ambitions:
“Previously I was a dentist in India, but after moving to England, I faced lots of problems with my pronunciation at work. After seeing the free course advertised, I thought I’d join! I’ve already become much more confident since starting the course. I always used to hesitate to talk to people, but now I don’t. I’ve learned lots from our teachers and I’ve made so many new friends. Next, I hope to take my International English Language Test and continue my dentistry career at the NHS.”

Yeovil College’s ESOL programmes are more than just language courses; they are gateways to new opportunities and brighter futures.