Partnerships

My name is Sarah Halsey and I am the English language and literacy teacher at Providence Row Housing Association. I run English language and reading and writing classes for PRHA residents. The classes are mainly one to one but I also run a group class. I help people to work on their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Some of the people I work with have English as their first language.

Others have English as their second language. The classes are open to all residents. If a resident is interested in classes they can speak to staff where they live. The staff can tell them about the classes and I can meet with the resident if they are interested in starting. I work closely with hostel managers and staff to support residents taking part in lessons.

The aim of the lessons is for residents to be able to work on their skills and enjoy taking part. When I start working with a resident, I ask them what skills they want to work on and how they like to study. We make a plan for their study together. We celebrate successes and achievements. If a resident is interested in other classes, for example at college or at the library, I can help them to find these also.

I have been working with one learner for over five years. One day he showed me a notebook he has had throughout that time. When I asked him about his experience of English class, I started by asking him about his notebook:-

“I have my notebook 5 years. It is for my study and my thinking and picture sometimes, drawing. My notebook help me very much because my memory is very bad. My notebook is a place for my study and new words in English. I can look at things I write again. It’s nice. It is a little history in England, in London. My history.
I live here, in England. I speak a little bit English. I need English class to talk to the embassy and shopping, for routine life in England. I think this is normal. I need it. It helps me. This is a big help for me, study.
It helps for my confidence because I understand people on the street, in the shop. Just now the doctor called me. I understand what they say. I read the newspaper sometimes, watch English TV programmes. It’s a big difference for me. It changed my life. I am happy for my confidence, my life in England is a little bit easier.

I think everyone needs it. Homeless people from [other countries] and no speak English need it because if people don’t understand things it is problem. Everyone need English class, it helps a lot. I lost my ID card 5,6 times. I need English in the conversation at the embassy. They ask questions; ‘Name? Date of birth? Address?’ I need a translator? No. I no need it now. I understand. Sometimes they ask special question. I say ‘again please and slowly’. It’s no problem for me, now.”

PRHA resident