September marks a new academic year here at the ALW ‘Swansea Learning Hub’ as well as at our other community venues – the YMCA and the Swansea Deaf Centre.

This year we have 6 full time classes, 15 part time classes, 3 contextualised ESOL classes as well as 8 different accredited community classes that have been established with our partners – the African Community Centre and SASS.

We have learners enrolled from over 25 different countries!

Sam Al-khanchi, our Swansea Curriculum Development Coordinator said, “It’s always great to welcome our new and returning learners! Every year we look at making our learning experience better!!”

With this in mind, Sam has taken us through what’s new for this academic year.

WSOL Inductions with Tutor Sharon Warren

As part of the wider induction experience, our Swansea ESOL learners have had the opportunity to experience a WSOL (Welsh for Speakers of Other Languages) taster session with our fabulous WSOL tutor Sharon Warren.

On the first day alone, Sharon had over 60 learners sign up to attend a full WSOL course!! Da iawn Sharon!

The WSOL inductions included, Pronunciation, The Welsh alphabet, Welsh personal names & Greetings.

Sharon said, “I am absolutely thrilled that these pilot sessions have been so well received. To have so many showing an interest in attending a full WSOL course is so rewarding to me as a teacher. This has also demonstrated that these learners really want to learn Welsh when given the opportunity.”

This week Sharon will also start a Welsh language, history and culture for beginners at Princess House! The course will cover themes such as the Welsh Love Spoon, St. David’s Day, Tryweryn and the history of the Welsh language! The class still has spaces so if you are interested you can attend. The class is 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM on Thursdays in on the 4^th floor, Princess House, Princess Way SA1 3LW.

‘Meet your Tutor’, One-Page Profiles, ‘Welcome to your Course’ Door Signs

These one-page profiles & door posters were initially shared by our Learner Services Team during a staff CPD week, as part of a new ‘Enhanced Transitions Initiative’.

Sam, Swansea CDC said, “When I saw this idea, I absolutely loved it and knew it was something that I wanted us to do in Swansea.  I genuinely think that it helps to build a stronger and more positive learning environment. I am so pleased that some tutors have already used the idea in class, asking learners to produce a profile about themselves!”

Our completed ‘Meet your Tutor’ profiles will be on the walls at our venues and the ‘Welcome to your Course’ door signs are already in use!

Wellbeing board at Princess House and YMCA!

Staff and learner well-being is important to us here at ALW! Our new wellbeing boards will provide general well-bring information to both staff and students, as well as signposting information to other support organisations!

Finally, let’s give a warm welcome to our new members of staff to the Swansea ESOL Team – Momtaj & Barbora!

Momtaj has returned to the Swansea ESOL team after taking time away to focus on her family and Barbora is very close to finishing her Masters in TESOL!

All in all, it’s looking to be another fantastic year here at Swansea ESOL!!!! Keep an eye on our socials for more updates and good news stories!

Click here to see more photos!