A former ESOL student from Solihull College & University Centre is celebrating after finding employment in a local school.
Mature student Priscilla Toledano, 38 from Solihull, has lived in the town for 2 years. Priscilla previously worked as an Emergency Room nurse in Brazil, before becoming a full-time mother. It was after a move to England years later that Priscilla found the opportunity to dedicate time to herself and her studies.
Priscilla comments: “I studied at the College for 2 years. I chose the course because when I arrived here in England, I spoke only a few words of English and I wanted to be able to speak and understand fluently. I really enjoyed being an ESOL student. The lessons were dynamic and covered topics that are part of our daily lives. Beyond that our vocabulary was getting wider and we acquired knowledge.”
Many of the ESOL lessons involved establishing dialogue with other students. That was at first challenging to Priscilla, but the teachers offered all the support she needed, and the lessons flowed naturally as her skills progressed. After deciding she would like to work at the school where her children studied, Dickens Heath Community Primary School, Priscilla applied initially for a Lunchtime Supervisor position. With her newly acquired English skills she ended up being selected for the position and it motivated her to push herself even further.
After progressing through her ESOL levels, Priscilla felt confident enough to expand her skillset and she enrolled on an online Level 2 Teaching Assistant & Special Needs course. She adds: “I was fascinated by the fact I could not just read, but my comprehension was so much better without translating.”
Priscilla now works as a Teaching Assistant in a year four class and is studying a Level 3 Teaching Assistant course alongside. She states: “When I started my course, my purpose was to speak and understand English, but I became ambitious as the course progressed. I feel now I am in a position to say that I strongly recommend this ESOL course, not only because I achieved my personal ambition, but also because I developed professionally. Before attending ESOL I could never plan anything for my professional life, but the course taught me that there are no limits when you have good academic support. Thanks to all the teachers involved in my ESOL journey I consider myself accomplished and successful.”
