A year on from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, North Tyneside Council is celebrating the learning achievements of the borough’s Ukrainian guests.
As part of its annual Adult Learner Awards, the Council has paid tribute to those who have found a home in the borough over the last year.
More than 50 Ukrainian residents were recognised at the awards, all of which are taking part in English courses through the Council’s Employment and Skills service.
The learners gathered at the Adult Learning Centre in Norham High School where they were met by Chair of the Council, Cllr Pat Oliver, who credited the group for their resilience, dedication, and strength.
Each of the learners were presented with a certificate, an Oxford Dictionary, and a keyring to mark their achievements.
The English lessons are run by specialist tutors, with each session catered to the current abilities of individual learners. They focus on not only spoken language, but written work and grammar to help support the residents in all aspects of learning and using a new language.
It’s hoped that the new skills will support them to access jobs, feel at home in the region, and to learn more about the culture and values of the North East.
Despite being forced to leave their homes and many of their loved ones behind, the learners worked hard in difficult and unusual circumstances to make the best of their situations.
They joined weekly conversation classes to gain confidence and to help with their basic needs, including speaking to teachers, using public transport, and applying for jobs.
One learner who has been living in North Tyneside for only two months has been recognised for his efforts. He said: “When I arrived, I was told when and where I could attend English lessons and straight away, I started learning with Sue, she checked my level of English put me in a lesson that suited me.
“It’s helped my English but also helped me because I’ve found people from my country, people who came to the UK before me and they know many ‘life hacks’ and helped with any problems and questions.
“Doing the course has been such a great help.”
One learner started the course in January this year after being referred to the sessions after she started a volunteering role in a local school. She said: “I’ve only recently started the course in January. I was volunteering at Norham High School with children with special needs and I was recommended Ian as a really professional teacher who could help me.
“He’s been amazing. He knows another language himself; he knows how to explain it to people. It was stressful when I was volunteering learning the language and of course understanding the accent, and he has helped me so much by using different methods and I’ve come on so much already.
“We work on grammar, written work, conversation, and everything I need to know to live here. He’s asked us about our culture, what our experiences are, what we already know, and he tailors it to us.
“It’s an amazing course and I’m so happy to be here.”
Cllr Hannah Johnson, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for Employment, Skills, and Inclusion attended the event to meet the learners.
As an advocate for learning and inclusion, she’s expressed pride in each of the learners: “We’re all inspired by, and proud of, the commitment of these learners to face such uncertainty and be so successful in their learning.
“They have all fully embraced the opportunity, coming together each week to improve their English and soak in the local culture. They’ve done all of this with a smile on their face and their attitude to learning is fantastic.
“I’d like to thank our Employment and Skills service and the brilliant tutors who have led these sessions for embracing the challenge and being so supportive of each and every learner.”
The learners were initially recognised in October 2022 at the annual Adult Learning Awards and the recent ceremony was set up to present the awards to those who couldn’t attend, and those who have taken up courses since.
If you’re interested in finding out more about North Tyneside’s employment and skills service, or if you’d like to see if it has a course for you, visit its website: https://www.skillsnorthtyneside.org.uk/
