Friends, friends and more friends…

'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.'

Better English, Brilliant Teacher, Great Lessons

'I learnt English since I was a kid and always thought my English was not bad at all, until I came here.  The English I heard here seems totally different from what I learnt. The English Classes of Richmond EAL Friendship Group gave me chances to “re-learn” my English. The lessons were conducted in interesting ways: we learnt tongue twisters, British cultures, songs, small games, children’s rhymes etc. Instead of boring grammar text books, the teacher used countless ways to make our English better. Of course, abundant teaching materials and skilful teaching techniques are essential for giving good lessons. But for me, the most important things are the passion, the teaching experiences, and the warmth and caring of the teacher which made the lessons so different from others.'

And more… to embrace the community

'Since having joined the English Class of Richmond EAL Friendship Group, what happened next was a kind of miracle to me. I joined the Healthy Cooking Club and outdoor visits (Kew Garden / Marble Hill House, etc.) which were fun.  I was invited by the teacher to organise an Mid-Autumn Festival party at the community centre, which turned out a success. I was encouraged by the teacher to take a training course in another English Learning charity and became a volunteering tutor of teaching English to ESOL learners. I started to melt into the community where I live now. I am not a newcomer anymore. 

I am an ex-learner now. Instead of going regularly, I would pop into the class from time to time to see my great teacher whose smile is always so lovely and whose hug is always so warm.'