English UK East News

A group of 16 young ESOL students from the Stepping Up Study Programme at Colchester Institute have won the prestigious Special Chair’s Award at the Colchester Youth Awards 2016.  Composed of refugee children and young, unaccompanied asylum seekers from east Africa (mostly Eritrea), Iraq, Syria, Iran or Afghanistan, these students have fled from extremely difficult circumstances, leaving their families and ‘life-as-they-know-it’ to start again in a ‘strange’ and entirely new country.  Despite the incredible challenges they have faced, these young people demonstrate an enormous strength of character, resilience and optimism.  Enrolling on to ESOL courses at Colchester Institute, they have endeavoured to learn English and have showed positive determination and perseverance to gain the education unavailable to them in their home countries.  Having also participated enthusiastically in a number of voluntary and charitable activities, (such as raising nearly £400 for Sport Relief, packing 14 boxes for Operation Christmas Child and undergoing work-experience with the Essex Wildlife Trust, Essex University and other local organisations), they contribute greatly to the ESOL department and wider student community at Colchester.  It is fantastic for both staff and the students to see that their courage, commitment and achievements have been recognised in such a public arena.