Testimonials - Richmond EAL Friendship Group

With over one thousand current and former learners speaking more than sixty languages, we benefit from a huge network of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Read some of their feedback below.

VIEN SHUM (Cantonese)

'As a former student of the EAL class offered by Richmond Friendship Group, I would like to share my experience and encourage new residents in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to join the class.

In spring 2022, my husband and I moved from Hong Kong to the UK. Though I visited the country many times before and I never experienced difficulty when communicating with others in English as a tourist in London, I found it difficult to understand what people are speaking in supermarkets, surgery, restaurants and even fast-food joints.

People speak English in different accents and they always speak fast so it is not easy to make a good grasp. Furthermore, I need to talk about subjects that I would not discuss in previous holidays, like property viewing, internet connection and other daily life issues...'

Vien Shum's feedback continues here

MARLENYS (Spanish)

'I came from Cuba alone and have been in the UK for 10 years. Now I get out of the house. These sessions make me more confident, improve my English and I make friends. Meeting other people makes you realise that people are friendly and I changed my ideas now I know about other cultures.’

EDIP (Turkish/Arabic)

‘It’s been really joyful and useful to participate in these lovely EAL meetings. Given that the British are a very reserved and close culture, you would not understand behaviour codes without participating in these groups. The sessions are social meetings and I am surrounded by friends!’

MAN FAI (Cantonese)

'My wife and I moved from a compact city to this much bigger society three years ago. We still find fascinating aspects in the borough we live in.

It happened my wife found Ruth’s class in ETNA. It is an English class for the people who learn it as a second language.

In Ruth’s class, we met so many nice people from different countries. We tried different home-made authentic cuisines in the healthy cooking club. We visited Kew gardens and Marble hill house, etc. I was not only learning English but also knowing more about the borough. Moreover, I met people who also speak Cantonese, giving me more opportunities chatting things happening back home.

During class, I naturally recalled the way how I learnt my mother tongue, how I acquired it from my mum, feeling like at home, like my childhood.

Assistances in the class are nice and helpful. It provides more opportunities to practice conversation.'

CORNELIA (Romanian)

‘I do believe that the group has a wonderful impact on the lives of speakers of other languages as it encourages us to pursue our dreams, aim for the best and believe in ourselves. It really makes a difference in our lives.’

DURGA (Hindi)

‘Very, very helpful for me because I didn’t know any English at all when I came and I could not read or write at all. Now I can travel and go shopping by myself.’

YUN YUN (Cantonese)

'The memory went back to 3 years ago… when I was first moved from a faraway Asian city to Richmond, no friends, no colleagues, no acquaintance to chat with. All things were new: new home, new life, new culture. Was I lonely? Yes, a bit, until I found and joined the English Class of Richmond EAL Friendship Group.

Friendship first, that was what my brilliant teacher told us. We made friends in the class from all over the globe. We also enjoyed chatting during lessons’ break (good chances to have a break from English and chat in our mother tongue). Even outside the classroom, we (learners of the class) would bump into each other on the street or in supermarkets.

This city was no more full of strangers. It was starred with friends...'

Yun Yun's feedback continues here

GONCA (Turkish)

'I started this course primarily to improve my English, but I met Ruth and many wonderful people there and became friends with this amazing group of people...

Even also this course made me very happy to learn about the culture, cuisine and history of people from other countries 😄

I recommend it to everyone who has just come here, I believe it will be very good for everyone who feels lonely.'

MASHA (Russian)

'My family changed our usual life and place. EAL helps me to learn English and feel better in the new place. In EAL, I found new friends. EAL helps me learn about traditions and important events in the UK.

I also learn about famous places in our area, volunteer work, and organisations that help people. It is very important to speak with people from different cultures and learn about their traditions, culture and food.

Big thanks to the EAL teachers for this opportunity.'

BINTA (French)

'Margrit is super patient and makes you want to learn. I am with people who also want to learn.'

CAROLINA (Spanish)

'I like the topics covered in each class and the dynamism of the teacher.'

CATHY (Cantonese)

'The topic is useful, the learning environment makes us feel comfortable and Rebecca is so nice.'

ISABELE (Portuguese)

‘This group can clean your heart from bad pre-conceptions about other cultures. It can improve us as humans because when we receive something for free from an inspiring teacher, we want to give something back. We are foreigners and in this class we can learn to behave properly in this culture. We can never learn these things in college.’

JOHAN (Mandarin/English)

‘During my work experience assisting in an English as an Additional Language classroom at Richmond EAL Friendship Group, I had the opportunity to observe a skilled teacher guiding a diverse group of learners. My role involved observing the teacher, supporting a learner by helping with activities, and offering encouragement to them as they practiced speaking and writing. I had not experienced such diversity of languages in an adult group before this
experience and it was eye-opening.

I found it inspiring to witness the students' confidence in speaking that developed in the classroom environment I liked how relaxed and informal the teacher Mrs Durant was. One positive thing I saw is how even small moments of correction, like helping to correctly use a new word in a sentence, made genuine changes. A potential improvement to the routine would be more paired tasks, like pairing more confident English speakers with those still gaining it but not sharing a language. This peer-learning approach could ease anxiety and reinforce understanding through conversation with each other and create friendships over time. It is also used a lot in other places including my secondary school and Chinese language school.'

MARTINA (Bulgarian)

'It is fun to learn English, we laugh a lot in class.'

OLGA (Russian)

'I had great time during my learning time which I spent with you and all the other students! Hope I will see you soon again! The classes was warm and friendly! It was very educational and funny!'

SERPIL (Turkish)

'This group has helped me improve my English in a fun way and the atmosphere is always friendly and warm. Cornelia and our other teachers are great and so patient. Thanks for everything!'

SOLMAZ (Farsi / Iran)

'Becoming familiar with people, learning English and learning about other countries.'

SVETLANA (Ukrainian)

'Richmond EAL honoured staff, volunteers and our tutors make enormous efforts and contributions to our socialisation. They help us to improve our English skills in a smooth manner and support us with useful tips on how to struggle through language and communication difficulties.

I have impressive multicultural classmates who motivate me not to give up and move my life further.'

VEFA (Azeri)

‘I have improved my English. Coming to these sessions stops depression. You get more confidence and learn about college, education and voluntary work.’

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