Shaymaa joined Adult Learning Wales in January 2024 as a part-time Level 1 ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Learner. She immediately threw herself into our lessons and very quickly showed her determination and drive.

After achieving the ‘City and Guilds Level 2 in all skills’ certificate (July 2025), Swansea ESOL Tutor Nia Williams asked Shaymaa about the impact of her Adult Learning Wales classes on her growing confidence in learning and developing her English language ability.

In her own words, here is Shaymaa’s story:

Starting a new life in another country can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you want to continue a specialised career. My name is Shaymaa, and I trained as an orthoptist in France, where I worked in three private clinics in Paris. When I moved to Swansea in 2022, I was determined to carry on my professional journey in the UK. Although I had strong clinical experience, I quickly realised that working confidently in a healthcare environment would require more than transferring my qualifications. I needed to register with BIOS, the UK’s professional body for orthoptists, and I needed to strengthen my English to meet the expectations of the healthcare system.

To achieve this, I joined Adult Learning Wales in January 2024 and began English Level 1 on a part-time basis. These classes were my first real step toward integrating into the professional world here. They helped me build a solid foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and everyday communication, which immediately made a difference in my confidence. At the same time, I began applying for positions in Singleton Hospital and several private clinics. I knew my clinical background was strong, but I also understood that to express my skills clearly, English fluency was essential.

Because of this, I decided to continue to Level 2 and enrolled full-time with Nia Williams at Princess House (Adult Learning Wales’ Swansea-based learning hub). The learning environment was inspiring: the teachers were dedicated, the lessons were engaging, and the focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing helped me progress quickly. I worked hard throughout the course, determined to reach the level required for my professional goals.

When I sat the Level 2 exams, I achieved excellent results in all four components: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Receiving my Level 2 certificate was a proud moment, as it represented both my progress and my readiness to take the next step in my career. My improved language skills made a noticeable difference in interviews. When I applied for a role in a private clinic, the team was impressed not only by my professionalism but also by how well I communicated in English.

Soon after completing Level 2, I was contacted by a paediatric team inviting me to join a multidisciplinary group working on clinical cases involving amblyopia and strabismus in children aged 0 to 7. Although paediatric orthoptics was not my original speciality, I recognised that this opportunity would enrich my CV and allow me to contribute to research in the UK as a French-trained specialist. The interview was comfortable and friendly, as the panel included colleagues I had previously met during ophthalmology conferences. My confidence in English allowed me to fully express my experience and ideas.

I now work as a paediatric clinical assistant, and my role is both rewarding and professionally stimulating. This journey has strengthened my belief in the importance of English learning for anyone seeking to build a career in the UK. It opens doors, builds confidence, and transforms challenges into achievable goals. My progress with Adult Learning Wales played a central role in helping me reach where I am today, and I encourage all learners to stay determined, trust the process, and never give up.

Shaymaa

Orthoptist