The recipients were presented with their Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) practical certificate by Professor Alan Speight, Pro Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, at a reception at the University which was also attended by Oxfam Cymru and ELTS staff.         

The women have completed their training as part of a three year Sanctuary in Wales Project, which was established by ELTS and Oxfam Cymru with funding from the Big Lottery Fund Wales. The aim of the course is to deliver a teacher training programme to selected women from Swansea, Newport and Cardiff. These women then go on to teach other refugees and asylum seekers in their local centres to help them develop English language skills.

Peter Neville of ELTS said: “This programme is helping to improve overall language skills in the sanctuary seeking community. The tutors are not only helping their peers to achieve more, but they have greatly enhanced their own language and teaching skills which has inspired some to consider further training in education.”

Victoria Goodban of Oxfam said: “As Wales’ first City of Sanctuary, this is another way that Swansea is leading the way in helping up-skill and empower refugees and asylum seekers in the city and further afield. The classes the tutors deliver benefit by offering crèche facilities, allowing mothers with young children to improve their English for practical day-to-day tasks, like going to the GP or helping their kids with homework. Some of the teachers have gone the extra mile by teaching parents at local primary schools and mixed classes at other drop-ins: they are real assets to their communities.”