People in Sandwell, in the West Midlands, are to get the chance to take part in a ‘Talk English Programme’ and sign up to classes in Smethwick and West Bromwich.
The programme, which is being run by Fircroft College and supported by Sandwell Council will run free beginner classes to provide lessons for speakers of other languages.
The course, which will run over a period of 8-12 weeks with a certificate of achievement for successful attendees, covers English speaking, reading, writing and listening development. The Talk English Programme is a volunteer-powered and community based project which has been run successfully in Birmingham for some time.
Councillor Steve Melia, town chair for West Bromwich, said that the programme would be able to make a big impact in the borough where there were many people seeking to learn how to speak English.
“It is a great scheme because it is supported by local volunteers anxious to help people to be able to speak English,” he said.
“I would urge people who know others to would benefit from this project to encourage them to make contact with the team.
“It is something that can completely change people’s lives and enable them to engage with the local community far easier.”
Since 2017 Fircroft have run more than 30 courses, with more than 50 volunteers, which include teachers and classroom support assistants, and have engaged with over 400 learners from 49 different countries.
Mel Lenehan, Principal of Fircroft says “We are very proud of the success the Talk English programme is having across Birmingham and that it is now expanding into Sandwell.
Classes in Sandwell will be run at:
* Dorothy Parkes Centre, Church Road, Smethwick, B67 6EH - Mondays from 10am- 12.30pm * Oak House Museum, Oak Road, West Bromwich, B70 8HJ - Tuesdays from 10am- 12.30pm
