Safia's Story — 11 Sep 2009

Safia* moved from Glasgow to Pakistan in the 1970s.  She is a Home Support Worker with the Multi Cultural Elderly Care Centre (MECC).  She is in her fifties and has a grown up family, but only recently started attending WEA's ESOL literacies classes.

Previously her work at a crèche did not involve writing, but her current job requires form filling and other paperwork. Safia's manager referred her and 8 other colleagues onto the ESOL Literacies in the Workplace classes, where their individual job, language and literacies needs were assessed.  Safia needed to develop form filling, grammar and written comprehension. 

The 90 minute class ran for 10 weeks but was extended for a further ten weeks at the request of the learners and management. Safia's skills improved greatly and she passed her SVQ in Childcare. Her manager highlighted an improvement in her report writing and form filling, and colleagues noticed an increase in her confidence and self expression.

Safia said the course "built up my confidence and gave me a big help!" and noted that she also improved her home and community life. She said that she is now able to communicate effectively with hospital staff, service users or family members.  Her grammar improved and she increased her confidence and skills to write personal letters and use email and the internet.

*Name has been changed to ensure confidentiality.