Flagship council service celebrates ten years

Tuesday, 30 July 2024 17:50

By David Murphy

A vital council service that has helped almost 5,000 people learn English is marking a decade of supporting local residents.

The Talk English project has worked with 4,817 learners from 85 different countries since its inception in 2014, playing a vital role helping people to integrate into their communities and, in many cases, secure paid employment.

Initially funded through the government, the council-run initiative has been able to continue long-term in Rochdale with financial support from key partners, including Hopwood Hall College.

The classes have supported people who speak 52 different languages, from a variety of countries, including Hong Kong, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have also played a key role in recent years supporting newly arrived refugees.

The courses, which are delivered at locations across the borough, often support people with little or no English and lay the vital groundwork for them to progress into further education, and eventually into paid employment.

Former Talk English Student, Iris Chu, who now volunteers on the project, said: “When I left Hong Kong, I gave up everything, including my career. In the UK I had to start from nothing and Talk English helped me build my confidence. After my classes, they encouraged me to progress my studies at college and I achieved the student award in 2023, which was amazing.”

Talk English tutor, Theresa Davis, said: “I love helping people and feeling that the work I’m doing is having a positive impact. Seeing the learners’ joy when they make progress and build confidence is fantastic. Some learners might arrive and know a few words and by the end of the course, they’re speaking in full sentences. Some of them develop the confidence to go into volunteering work or paid employment or onto college courses and further education.”

Councillor Peter Hodgkinson, assistant cabinet member for finance and growth at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “These classes have had a huge impact on our community over the last ten years. They help people connect with others and really build their confidence, which is particularly important for newly arrived refugees.

"It’s hard to underestimate the value of learning English. It helps people play a big role in the wider community and can open up so many doors, including employment opportunities. I’m delighted that this important milestone has been reached, but am even more excited about how many more people the service will be able to help in the future.”