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It’s beginning to look a lot like summertime and we’re excited for all the good things ahead this year. It’s the return of Manchester Day on Sunday 19th June, Manchester International Festival next month and the good weather means we can enjoy time outside with friends and family. Plus, our staff and learners will be getting a well-earned break over the summer holidays (from 22nd July).
This issue has features on our award-winning Talk English project, a staff member celebrating 25 years of service, and a case study of a hardworking English and maths learner.
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Talk English Conversation Clubs
Our Conversation Clubs are a great way for learners to practise their English language skills informally in a community setting. Run by Talk English volunteers, the clubs are proving really successful at the moment, with learners keen to get out and meet new people face-to-face in a safe, welcoming environment. Learners often come along to a club in addition to their regular ESOL classes to boost their speaking and listening skills.
There are Conversation Clubs all over the city, including venues such as The Roundhouse in Openshaw, The Place in Fallowfield and Brunswick Church in Ardwick. In Ardwick, learners mix not only with club-mates and Talk English volunteers, but also with locals at the venue, where they can get a free cuppa and practise their tea-time chatting skills at the church cafe together!
If you enjoy supporting others and fancy training to be a volunteer Conversation Club facilitator, then click on the button below to complete a volunteer expression of interest form and we'll get back to you with details of our next Talk English Volunteer Information Session.
Silver Anniversary for Ken
Additional Learning Support Worker, Ken Fibburs, will be celebrating his 25 years' service in the council at a special event at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in July. Guests will be treated to afternoon tea, a surprise gift, and congratulations from Joanne Roney OBE - Chief Exec and the Lord Mayor in a thoroughly well-deserved recognition of loyal service!
Ken started with us as a volunteer in 1996, based at The Birtles in Wythenshawe and then took a role in Additional Learning Support. Here he tells us of his time at MAES:
“As soon as I started, I remember thinking to myself, I can see myself retiring from here. Previously I worked as an engineer and in the security industry. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be doing this job.
A highlight of my career has been seeing learners progress. For example, last year one learner who came to us for Entry 3 passed her Level 2 with my support and recently she emailed me telling me that she’s now at university doing a degree in Nursing. She told me that she’d had to work out some ratio for a drugs query and that she’d remembered the cross multiplying tips I’d given her.
Another learner that I supported was a mature adult retraining to be a teacher and needed her GCSE maths. I supported this learner from L1 all the way to GCSE and she’s now teacher training. I am proud to work for the Council.
I wish that the presentation could have been at the Town Hall (opened in 1877 & closed since 2018). My dad would have been proud of that. He was a very strong union and Labour man. We used to go to the Town Hall to listen to brass bands and I still love to listen to brass and military music.”
We hope that you enjoy your special day, Ken, and thank you for your 25 years of service!
Tip Top TP
TP is a PEP (Personal Education Plan) learner currently studying Functional Skills in English Level 1 and Entry Level Maths. He identified some difficulties with his learning including spellings and maths.
TP says: "My English lessons with Mark have helped me to improve my reading and writing."
Mark agrees and describes TP as "very dedicated and committed. He is a friendly presence in the class and has had a very positive year so far."
In terms of maths, TP says: "I enjoy my maths lessons. I struggled at first but thanks to Arfan, I feel more confident with numbers."
Arfan describes how "TP has progressed really well in a short amount of time. He is eager to work things out himself and it's clear he tries his best all the time."
TP also has 1:1 lessons to help him revise and practise what he has learned in class. "I have found the lessons with Vin useful. They have helped me to prepare for my exams."
TP had his Level 1 reading exam earlier this year. "I am happy to say that I passed my reading exam and I feel over the moon!"
It is clear that TP has been working extremely hard this year, and all his teachers agree that he is an absolute pleasure to teach. Good luck with your future courses TP!
Learner success
After a difficult time in his life, Christopher Martin decided to brush up on his English skills in order to apply for a university course. As he lived in Wythenshawe, he joined a class at our Forum Learning Centre to study Level 2 English. Here’s how he felt about his time at MAES:
“I was anxious at first; it was totally new, but my teacher was great at making us all feel relaxed and at ease. I received lots of support from the teacher and was directed to other support services if I needed them. This included help with careers advice and finding work.
The resources were fantastic as well. Laptops were available if I needed one for online learning and the staff were really nice and helpful.
I felt really empowered completing my course. It has given me a lot of confidence going into my next stage of education.”
It’s wonderful to hear you had such a positive experience returning to education with MAES. Best of luck in your future studies, Christopher!
If, like Christopher, you want to improve your English skills, see here for more info: https://manadulted.org.uk/courses/english/
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