What does the English at Home project offer?
24th September 2020: English at Home is still closed to new referrals, whilst we recruit and train new volunteers
If you know of a refugee or asylum seeker who is isolated or could benefit from practical support, please look at helpinleeds.com and the new and improved Learning English Leeds website.
English at Home helps people to learn a skill that is vital for everyday life.
We support refugees and asylum seekers who, for reasons of caring, health etc. are currently unable to attend classes. We develop students’ language skills so that they can cope with everyday life and become more independent.
We are committed to promoting cross-cultural friendship and enabling participation in community life.
We support our students to move on to other learning opportunities e.g. English classes or vocational qualifications.
An English at Home match can last anything from 6 weeks to 1 year.
24th September 2020: Following a recent recruitment phase, we have now closed volunteer applications until November 2020. We then hope to re-open for applications in time for our next lot of induction training in the New Year. If you’d like us to send you a reminder when we re-open, please click here. We really look forward to hearing from you!
“My favourite part of our training sessions is having a learner come and share their experiences of having a teacher. At one of these sessions, Selina was entering the building when she bumped into a woman who used to interpret for her. Selina smiled as they chatted and said “I have not seen you for a long time because I don’t need you anymore!”
Contact Information
Volunteers Manager:
David Skivington
07564 267 065
Volunteers Manager:
Tina Brocklebank
07845 298 039
General Enquiries: English at Home
The difference it makes
Rasha and Adnan had been learning English for a few months but were still too nervous to use English outside their lessons. Their English at Home tutor invited them to a party she was hosting. They came along and had a great time, and managed to speak in English with the other guests. Using English at the party was a huge boost to their confidence.
The next day there was a knock at their door and, for the first time ever, Adnan felt able to open it and speak to whoever was there. It was the postie, with a parcel for next door. They took in the parcel, and later brought it round to their neighbours’ house. That first contact led to a growing friendship. Rasha and Adnan say that making friends with the neighbours has made their house feel more like home.
Achievements in 2019/20
79% of learners joined local groups or volunteered
88% of learners reported increased confidence
93% of learners have used English socially
We developed lots of new online resources for tutors and learners, which we added to our web pages
Tutors spent…
hours teaching English to
learners.