Parents of pupils at St Thomas More Catholic School in Wood Green have benefitted from an innovative new course based at the school. All parents wishing to learn English or improve their English skills were invited to participate in English classes. Sessions take place three times a week at different times of the day to allow for parents’ work commitments. The sessions are interactive and give parents the opportunity to practise their language in a supportive atmosphere.
Mical Nelken, a specialist teacher of English as an additional language, started the course last October in response to a growing need for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes following cuts in local provision. She has been overwhelmed by the response; around thirty parents attend classes each week. They all report feeling more confident as a result of the classes and appreciate the relevance of topics.
‘These classes are an opportunity to strengthen relationships and understandings about the languages used by the school community as well as to support English learning,’ Mical explained.
This learner led, context specific approach has been an important factor in the success of the course, according to Simon Bent, Assistant Headteacher. ‘The education system is so full of specialised vocabulary that it can be very intimidating for parents to engage with it,’ he said. ‘In these classes parents have the opportunity to improve their English and then practise it through school-based situations.’
‘By the time it comes to Parents’ Evening, parents feel empowered to engage more with the school,’ said Mr Bent. ‘Opening up more dialogue between the school and parents can only be beneficial to pupils’ progress.’
Mariola Tecza, one of the parents who attends the lessons regularly, added, ‘These classes are a very good idea, they really helped me improve my spelling and punctuation and now I feel more confident when I speak.
