More than just a language class

“This is my son,” a Kurdish woman says, holding up a photo of a teenage boy. “He is seventeen.”

The topic of this week’s English lesson is families, and the refugee women are practising the words and sentences they have learned. 

Although the morning has been a hectic one for the You Belong volunteers – setting up the venue, co-ordinating transport, and signing people in – the atmosphere inside the hall is relaxed and friendly. As the ladies arrive for this week’s English class (the men’s class is next door), they are met with smiles and warm greetings. A group of women waiting to be signed in burst into giggles as Rachael, one of the organisers, blows enthusiastic kisses from a distance; it’s ok to be silly and have fun here!

Tables have been set up around the hall with a You Belong volunteer at each, ready to talk with the ladies and help guide them through the various activities. From all around comes the sound of chatter – English, Arabic and Kurdish blending together to create a pleasant hum. 

As the lesson commences, the ladies take out their learning packs and open their booklets. The activities range from reading simple sentences aloud to sharing their own experiences with one another in English. As this week’s topic is families, the discussions soon turn to sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and grandparents. Some of these conversations are joyful – proud mums talking about their children – while others are sorrowful, mourning the loss of dearly loved husbands and sons.

Throughout the hall there are varying ability levels. Some of the women already know a fair amount of English and are eager to converse. Others are a little more hesitant, requiring more support, but doing their best at each activity. Each woman has a different story to tell, each one has their own reason for attending the classes, and the volunteers are here to help them reach their goal, offering both support and friendship.

With every new word learnt, with every sentence read aloud, with every new concept understood come smiles of success. These small victories giving new-found confidence and a sense of accomplishment to these women. 

After the main lesson, there is time for a fun activity. This week, the women are learning to draw a cartoon dog. For some, drawing is an unfamiliar skill, but they are still willing to give it a go. Every now and then, laughter erupts at one of the tables over a dog that has a funny looking nose or an oddly shaped head. At one table, a cheeky Kurdish woman pinches a volunteer’s drawing then tries to pass it off as her own, giggling all the while.

These weekly lessons are more than just about learning English. They’re about bringing people together, building friendships, and helping empower refugees as they find their place within the community.

If you would like to join our English classes please contact us.