English classes to refugees and asylum seekers

Today, we are at the Hope Center in Crewe, where we will be delivering two hours of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes to refugees and asylum seekers. These students come from all over the world, including Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, and Iraq. They are all here as forced migrants, and every one of them is incredibly keen to develop their English language skills.

Refugees often face a severe lack of support on the ground—sometimes none at all—unless voluntary organizations step in to help. This initiative makes a massive difference. It helps people feel welcome, begin to integrate into the community, and learn how to navigate everyday life, such as finding where to shop or how local systems work. For many, these classes are a lifeline.

Here are some of the reasons participants come to learn English:

"I learn English because it is an international language. I need it for my job."

"I want to communicate with people. English is an important language—it is needed everywhere you go."

"I come here to improve my speaking, reading, and writing skills. This is why I’m here."

At Keele University, we’ve been running this kind of project for 20 years, helping over 300 students achieve the Trinity College TESOL certificate.

The benefits are significant for everyone involved:

For Keele students: They gain exposure to a different aspect of society and culture, often one that is not portrayed fairly in the media.

For the community: Refugees and asylum seekers attending the classes are eager to integrate and develop the skills they need to function effectively in society.

This program is a win for both groups. In addition to Crewe, we also run similar initiatives in Hanley.