Learners
Since 2009, we have been providing free English lessons to adults living in and around the London borough of Merton in their own homes or in small, informal classes.
Who is a Learner?
Our learners are adults and most of them are women whose previous opportunities for education and life experiences differ widely.
Our learners come from lots of different countries, including: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ghana, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Anyone who cannot get into formal classes can be a learner with us. Reasons may include:
Having young children
An inability to travel to classes
The cost
A disability
No previous / minimum schooling (Less than 6 years at primary school)
Experience
Little or no experience of formal education, cultural reasons and lack of confidence may all be significant barriers.
Immigration Status
Immigration status may not allow people to be eligible for fee-reduction and may prevent them from attending formal classes.
Priority Learners
We prioritise the people with the least English, in greatest need with fewest options, or who have particular difficulties with literacy in English.
Signing Up
We take learners who are referred to us through education and health services, Children’s Centres, other charities, friends and families.
The Curriculum and Quality Manager and the volunteer tutor will visit each learner at their home and assess their level of English and then the tutor and learner will agree on a day and time for the first lesson. Volunteers give their lessons free.
Sometimes, the Curriculum and Quality Manager will signpost the learner instead to another, more appropriate service.
How To Apply
If you would like to refer someone to us, complete our Referral Form with relevant details about the person you referring. Please include your own contact details, because we may need to contact you.