Determined older Rotherham students learn a new language

Fifteen women of all ages attending classes at Rotherham’s Tassibee Centre passed their City and Guilds English Entry Levels 1 to 3. 

They were presented with their certificates by borough councillor Rose McNeely and Andy Heseltine, operations manager for class organisers Achieve Through Learning (ATL)

Cllr McNeely said congratulated the ladies for their hard work and suggested they might want to consider getting a pen pal, someone to correspond with and write to about their lives as “this is a fantastic way to improve your English”.

Fiona Martin, project officer for Tassibee, said: “The ladies have done a fantastic job. They have worked so hard, coming to the Tassibee Centre twice a week for their English lessons. 

“It has been wonderful to see their confidence increase over the months and all their hard work pay off. 

“Together, they achieved a 100 per cent pass rate. 

“We have noticed the ladies who attend our sessions are continuing to practice and ask questions in English when we have guest speakers attending our wellbeing classes. 

“They have made brilliant progress over the last few months.”

Student Tazeem Sadique, who has passed her Entry Level 2, said: “I have really enjoyed coming to the classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

“I am so happy, I can now read to my grandchildren and take them to the library.”

For information about how to sign up, call Kathy at the Tassibee Centre on 01709 377750.