Leicester College’s Adult Learner’s Week kicked off in full swing yesterday with an Apprentice style competition at Leicester Market.To raise awareness of Adult Learning Week students created their own stalls in a bid to win £100 and raise money for Leicester Children’s Holiday Centre (Mablethorpe) which provides fun filled seaside breaks for disadvantaged children.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students sold delicious homemade foods from biscuits and cupcakes to Indian cuisine like Bhel Puri and Khaman Dokla. On hand also from Hair and Beauty students were style tips and makeovers for the festival season.
Priti Canti, 22, was delighted to be representing Leicester College with her fellow ESOL students who had spent the weekend cooking and making bunting of flags illustrating that students come from across the globe to study.
She told Pukaar News: “I’m from a small city in India but live in Leicester with my grandparents now. I learnt office skills and how to talk to people at college, all my family and friends back in India are so happy for me. I would like to work in an office one day and to make a good future in Leicester.”
The college hopes that the events will help people consider returning to their studies or begin their education at any age.
Business student Shaheeda Sidick, 41, was married for 21 years and inspired by her two sons to gain her higher education diploma, she said: “There are people who want to learn like me but don’t think they have the courage to do it.”
“A lot of people want to go back and don’t know how. It was so daunting but the tutors and staff were so helpful.”
Deputy Principle Don Brooks had the tough task of judging the competition alongside Curriculum Manager Margaret Walsh, who added: “We always make a big effort with Adult Learners Week. The students get to use class skills with the public such as communicating and understanding business as well as health and safety.”
For more information about Adult Learner’s Week and courses available please visit Leicester College’s website www.leicestercollege.ac.uk
by Sharna Ridge
