'English course has helped me be more confident'

7 hours ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Tetiana Martyniuk says the course has helped her become more confident with English writing and speaking

Hull City Council A woman with dark brown hair slicked back from her face but down at the back is looking into the camera. She is wearing a brown zipped fleece with a black zipped top underneath. Behind her is a classroom with someone sat down at a table and a woman with a lanyard looking at a screen. — Tetiana Martyniuk says the course has helped her become more confident with English writing and speaking

Migrant workers employed by a food company say language lessons are "really helping" improve their English.

The course is being held for Cranswick employees at its Sutton Fields site, delivered by Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE).

Originally from Ukraine, Tetiana Martyniuk has lived in Hull for two years and has worked in the company's packing department since arriving. She is now preparing for her English language exam.

She said: "I knew a little [English] before, but the course has helped me be more confident with writing and speaking."

Hull City Council Four people are sat down at a table, there are three women and one man in the middle. The man is holding up a card and looking across the table and smiling. Laptops and mice devices can be seen on the other side of the table. — The lessons are being offered at Cranswick's Sutton Fields site for its employees

Martyniuk added: "The teaching has been very good for me. They explain well and I understand much better now.

"Being able to speak and communicate better with colleagues means I feel more confident in my role and for myself, personally."

The English for Speakers of Other Languages course includes two classes, a beginner level class for employees starting their English language journey and one for people working towards an English functional skills qualification at entry level one or two.

It is funded by the Department for Education, with staff from Cranswick hosting the sessions.

Dragos Ciubotaru, who works in packing, moved to Hull from Romania five years ago and has worked for the firm full-time for the past three years.

"I feel like it will really help me in the future and help me progress in my career," he said.

"I wanted to improve my English and I feel the course is really helping and improving my knowledge.

"It's good that they come here to my place of work and I can learn with colleagues as well."

Hull City Council A man with short brown hair is wearing a blue hoodie with yellow writing on it and smiling into the camera with stubble. Behind him is a table full of people looking at bits of paper and laptops, headsets and mice devices can also be seen. — Dragos Ciubotaru moved to Hull from Romania and hopes the course will help progress his career

Magdalena Piasecka, senior operational trainer at the company, said: "Supporting colleagues to develop their English skills helps build confidence, improves communication and strengthens inclusion across our teams."

HTAE offers part-time courses for adults aged 19 or over, with classes in mornings, afternoons and evenings.

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