Student Support for ESOL learners

Gillian Williams The City of Liverpool College

Abdi came to the UK from Saudi Arabia as an unaccompanied asylum seeking child when he was 17 years old. Having had no formal education in his home country and speaking only the English he had learnt from friends who did attend school and watching films in English, he started at the City of Liverpool College on an Entry 2 Level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) course. He quickly progressed in year to Entry 3 as a result of his performance, attending extra sessions with his tutor on a Friday to work on his handwriting and getting extra Maths work from his tutor to do at home.

Abdi did lots of work outside of college to develop his skills, including watching an Egyptian mathematician on YouTube to further develop his skills in this area and further complement his college studies. Abdi comments about the support he received when he first started at the college, feeling anxious and nervous in a class with a diverse range of other students who did not speak his language or share his culture, he was immediately made to feel at ease. He speaks highly of the ESOL tutors during that first year of college where he was encouraged to talk aloud, express himself and develop his social skills in a safe environment. Abdi is keen to promote talking and openness amongst peers, getting students to talk freely and learn from their experiences, with the help of others. He has pushed for staff to better understand their cohorts so they can form positive relations. In addition to the pastoral and tuition support, college has provided financial support through weekly bursaries, free meals and travel pass as well as opportunities to engage with a wide range of extra curricular activities. .

Abdi has completed Level 1 Sport and has sat GCSE English and maths last year and is now studying Level 2 sport alongside English and maths this year. College has allowed Abdi to grow in confidence and develop academically and socially. Whilst he has been progressing through the academic levels of courses at college, he has also developed in confidence and self-belief. His progress leaders at college, through positive reinforcement and constant encouragement have helped him to realise his potential both in terms of college work but also in terms of personal development, where he has flourished. Working closely with Abdi's support workers, social workers and personal assistant, college staff have collaborated to ensure that Abdi has had the wrap around ongoing support that other students may get from parental figures, providing the nurturing support as well as challenge to ensure he succeeds and reaches his potential, it has allowed Abdi to excel.

He has been active within the Student Union, firstly as the first elected Care Experience Officer for 23/34 and this year as the Vice President, following a successful cross college campaign. he put himself our of his comfort zone, going to other campuses and promoting his manifesto to the body of students. He is passionate about promoting sport, inclusivity and encouraging students to participate in a range of activities. He represented the college at the national Student Union Conference in Blackpool last year. Abdi has completed a range of programmes with the LFC Foundation including sports leadership and employability. The college has supported him to complete his Level 1 Football Coaching badge as well as a range of other extra curricular courses such as safeguarding and first aid and he has gained paid employment as a steward at both LFC and at the new EFC stadium. The college is supporting him through an Accelerated Leader programme with the John Haynes Foundation to further hone his leadership skills and fine tune his vision.

Abdi has been instrumental in the formation of the Learner Support Agreement, a collaborative piece of work with the college as well as housing and social care, striving to improve the educational opportunities for care experienced young people. Representing the student body and playing an active role in the writing of pledges and constant monitoring and review, Abdi is helping to shape the support for future care experienced students at the college. He will also be on the student panel for an up and coming conference at Edge Hill University that is aimed at promoting FE and HE opportunities for care experienced young people.

Abdi has juggled his studies, living independently, the process of having his asylum granted, paid part time employment as well as his active role on our Student Union. He is always smiling and is passionate to create a more inclusive college environment where all students feel a sense of belonging.