Loughborough College has been highlighting its work in the community – as it hosted a town celebration of learning.
The ceremony at the Shree Ram Centre in Loughborough marked the achievements of College students on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses and guests included the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Brenda Seaton.
Loughborough College CEO John Doherty, who joined the Mayor at the ceremony, said: “Being part of a wider community is incredibly important to us. It’s at the heart of the work we do inside and outside the College.
“When we come together we are able to support each other and to create opportunities and experiences which have a positive impact on all of us.
“Our ESOL celebration was a reflection of this. We have approaching 80 students in the community who represent around 20 languages between them and we were recognising the enormous amount of hard work and commitment it takes to complete these courses – one student worked night shifts at a care home but continued to attend classes. It is inspirational to see how much these courses mean to our students – and the transformation it can bring about in their lives.”
Bev Gray, who leads ESOL in the community for Loughborough College, added: “Overcoming a language barrier gives our students an enormous confidence boost and the networks created with their fellow students only adds to that self-belief. They no longer feel isolated.
“One of our students had been too scared to attend her child’s parents evening but now talks of how proud she is to speak to the teachers. Meanwhile, Salma Akther attended a workshop we ran in conjunction with John Storer House on volunteering, she arranged an interview with them - and successfully gained a volunteer post. The staff there speak glowingly of the asset she has become to their team. And the determination our students display is incredible. Irina Mogosa works night shifts in a care home but attended class this year after no sleep and Cristina Raduta, who moved to Nottingham, continued to travel to the College and rarely missed a session.
“Students tell me they love their courses, they recommend them to their friends. The ESOL courses are about so much more than gaining a qualification. They really are transformative and this annual celebration shows our students how proud we are of them all.”
Special awards were presented to Salma for outstanding achievement and to Cristina and Irina for outstanding commitment, alongside Nusrat Nasreen. In addition, Paulina Symanska received an award for being an excellent team player, Runa Begum for her hard work during the year and Yi Kang for her excellent attendance.
Pictured: Loughborough College hosts its celebration of learning in the community at the Shree Ram Centre with (from left) Nusrat Nasreen, Marjahan Begum, Jahanara Begum, Salma Akter, Runa Begum, Irina Mogosa, Mayor of Charnwood Cllr Brenda Seaton, Cristina Raduta, Chanda Khyaju, Paulina Szymanska, Loughborough College CEO John Doherty and Yi Kang