PK started coming to The ClementJames Centre for English classes in 2019. Here she describes how they helped her unlock London.
“My life in London was very difficult when I came and couldn’t say any words. Especially when my children were at school and the teachers wanted to speak to me but I couldn’t reply. I couldn’t understand. It was terrible.
I learned English for four or five months at another organisation but when I moved from East London my friend told me about ClementJames. It’s been a very good experience. My teacher helps me a lot with my English.
Everything has changed since starting English classes at ClementJames. In East London, I only had some words but now I can speak more, understand more, write more. It’s much better. Now I can speak with my children’s teachers, I can take the train by myself. Before I couldn’t take the train by myself – my friend would always have to come to me. I couldn’t go to her house but now I can go by myself because if I have any problems with travel like getting lost, I can speak to someone and get help. My confidence in English has increased a lot.
I started learning English to speak with others, to be able to do everything by myself and now when I get mail I can read and understand it. I can translate. I’ve never worked before as I have children but now that I speak better I’d like to find a job. Last week I went to the charity shop to speak to a lady about some part-time work.
I’ve also become involved with other activities at The ClementJames Centre as well – I submitted work to the This Is Me: Belonging exhibition. Before I didn’t understand what I could say or do to submit my work but my tutor explained more about what could be submitted and I was able to have my work displayed on the website.
If I hadn’t started English classes at ClementJames I think I’d feel sad all the time. It was a very bad feeling. Thank you for accepting me.”
*Picture is a ClementJames stock photo.