Lottery cash puts English classes back on timetable
ACOMMUNITY centre is celebrating being able to reopen a class that it was previously forced to close because of funding cuts.
Sparth Community Centre has been awarded £3,240 in National Lottery funding to support its work with promoting the teaching of English as a second language among women in the local community.
The Community Centre, located on Norman Road, will use the cash to reopen its popular ‘Let’s Learn’ class, which they were forced to close in March of this year as a result of cuts.
Craig Halstead, the Community Centre’s manager, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.
“The learners have made it clear to us that they much prefer a more informal, ‘fun’ learning
experience, as they find a more formal setting such as college or a structured ESOL class setting quite intimidating, and they are put off attending if they know any kind of written exam is included.
“As well as our Let’s Learn class, the National Lottery grant will also fund a weekly Zumba session, as taster sessions we have held previously proved very popular, and this will further promote the health, fitness and wellbeing of the participants.”
The class will focus on teaching spoken and written English, but will also incorporate issues and fun activities that promote the health and wellbeing of the learners, increase their skills and enable them to better integrate into the local community and to society in general.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which is the largest community funded in the UK, will see one Let’s Learn class every week, including an exercise session, for up to 15 learners.
As well as improving their spoken and written English, together with their tutor and guest speakers, learners will explore issues that affect their daily lives, issues such as healthy eating, first aid and safety in the home.