Sewing Success: Rotherham College CLIL Class Featured on Radio Sheffield
Rotherham College’s commitment to community learning and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) education was recently highlighted when Jennifer Vernon-Edwards from BBC Radio Sheffield’s “Creative Lives” programme visited a vibrant CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) sewing class at Hopian in Rotherham.
On Thursday 13th February, Jennifer witnessed firsthand the impact of these unique classes, which combine practical sewing skills with English language development. The classes, offering both morning machine sewing and afternoon hand-sewing sessions, have proven incredibly successful in creating a relaxed and inclusive learning environment.
ESOL learners from Pakistani, Chinese, and Hong Kong backgrounds, alongside non-ESOL learners, shared their positive experiences with Jennifer. They spoke passionately about how the classes have boosted their confidence, provided opportunities to build new friendships, and improved their English skills. Learners particularly praised their dedicated tutor, Jane Galley, for her inclusive approach and her commitment to ongoing professional development in ESOL teaching.
The classes have fostered a rich cultural exchange, with non-ESOL learners helping with pronunciation and engaging in conversations, while ESOL learners have shared insights into their cultures, including cooking, baking, and traditions like Chinese New Year. This cross-cultural interaction has created a truly enriching experience for everyone involved.
Jennifer Vernon-Edwards was deeply impressed by the dedication of the learners and the effectiveness of the CLIL approach. She has since expressed interest in visiting other community courses offered by Rotherham College, demonstrating the wider impact of the college’s commitment to adult education and skills development.
Keep an eye on Radio Sheffield’s “Creative Lives” for updates on when this inspiring feature will air. We’ll be sure to share the details as soon as we have them!
Find out more about our community courses and our ESOL courses.