English My Way delivery partner, Aaghaz, host a visit from DCLG
On Thursday 9 February, Melanie Dawes, Permanent Secretary and Dilys Alam, Deputy Director for the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) joined our Chief Executive Helen Milner on a visit to an English My Way class run by Online Centres Network member Aaghaz at Foxdell Primary School in Luton.
The English My Way project is currently being delivered by 89 partners across the country, who have collectively engaged over 3,300 learners to register and begin the course since August 2016. This fantastic achievement is made possible in part by the relationships delivery partners have in their local community, as demonstrated by Aaghaz and Foxdell Primary School.
Melanie, Dilys and Helen observed the class discussing what they have learnt and enjoyed since beginning in September 2016, sharing their homework and taking part in a role play exercise. Lobia Begum, Aaghaz centre manager and class tutor, highlighted the progress learners have made during their time in the class, and explained how she works with the school to identify and support parents to sign up as learners.
“Melanie thought the work at Foxdell Junior School was great,” said her private secretary, Vince Kiddell. “The women who were learning to speak English were very engaged and keen to get across that they needed to learn English.
“Melanie probed the group to find out why they felt they needed to know [English] and what had changed. For many of them it was personal circumstances – including their children pushing them to learn English. But they wished they had started learning earlier. The lesson was very practical and involved exercises looking at how to book an appointment at the doctors or dentist and how to describe their family tree.”
Our Chief Executive Helen Milner said: “I really enjoyed the visit to see how Aaghaz are delivering English My Way and it was great to see the learners making such significant progress. I’m pleased that Melanie and Dilys also enjoyed their time at the centre and would like to say a big thank you to Lobia Begum and the team at Aaghaz and Foxdell Primary School for hosting the visit and making us feel so welcome.”
You can read more about the English My Way project here.
