British Life & Language classes

In October 2007, we appointed a Co-ordinator for the life and language classes, which remain highly popular and well attended. Provision has expanded considerably over the year. Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10.00 and 12.00. In class service users can share experiences with fellow learners from different cultural backgrounds and learn skills they need to take control of their own lives. Numbers attending classes have more than doubled, from an average of 14 in November 2007 to an average of 32 in July 2008.

Service user’s comment
“I am trying to live a normal life – here I feel appreciated and not left out.”

There are now classes at 6 levels, from complete beginners to advanced, all taught by volunteers, and there are over 20 volunteer teachers.
Teacher training is provided by the BRILL (British Life & Language) co-ordinator at least six times per year; topics this year have included teaching basic literacy, reading, vocabulary and phonology. A library of resources for both teachers and service users is being developed and all classrooms are equipped with whiteboards.

In addition to BRILL classes there is an extra handwriting class and a mathematics class on Wednesdays, a writing class on Thursdays and a computer class on Friday morning which is run by a Kurdish speaking volunteer at the Trinity centre nearby. Over 30 service users have been referred to the City of Bristol College for future English classes.