Language barriers are often cited as a significant constraint for migrant workers and those who have direct contact with them. As Mendip has become home to more and more non-British citizens, Elim Connect Centre helps some of these people in Mendip area by providing free English lessons.

The focus of the classes is to provide opportunity for non-British citizens to become independent learners, successful in the class and a productive member of society. We believe that the most effective way of enabling migrant workers to settle is to help them learn sufficient English to cope with daily life. These free weekly evening classes remove any financial barriers, which, along with work commitments, may often prevent foreign nationals from learning English. These classes help them better integrate into the community by improving their English.

We also encourage volunteers to support our teachers during classes. This is a great opportunity for Elim Connect Centre to support the local community by using our strengths and gaining valuable feedback at the same time.

We want to bring people together and raise awareness of local cultural diversity. Our aim is to make people feel welcome, communicate with local people and support both the migrant workers and the businesses they came to work for.

In addition to language skills, Elim Connect Centre are able to offer, through our Street Level Access Programme (SLAP), a range of support services including accommodation advice, employment, counseling, computer services, mentoring, addictions and life controlling issues, signposting and advocacy support.

Elim Connect Centre provides a free flexible course designed to teach English at various levels targeting multiple language needs.

Mission

To provide relaxed and friendly classes that combine cultural and educational activities together in order to prepare those whose primary language is not English for integration into work and community in the UK.
The course aims at developing the four language skills – listening, speaking, reading, and writing – as well as improving pronunciation and building vocabulary necessary to cope with daily life.

Objects

• The purpose is to help non-British citizens who are living and working in the Mendip area to improve their knowledge of English.
• The principal object of the classes shall be to help non-British citizens who are newcomers to Mendip district to acquire sufficient proficiency in English to become more independent and able to contribute more effectively to the life of the community.

Approach

• Learner-centered approach: Migrant workers come with different needs and at different stages in the learning journey – some have had positive and others negative learning experiences. They have different needs and abilities. Classes provide an opportunity for  transfer of skills to real-life situations. This helps each individual meet their learning needs.

• Interactive approach: For learners to remain motivated and stay engaged they need to understand the relevance and purpose of the activity. Our classes use a variety of training and learning techniques, including group and pair work, and role plays. We show them how what we are doing is going to be useful to them.

• Collaborative learning: As well as teaching individuals we also help groups of students work together in searching for understanding.

Features

• Teachers who are native or near-native speakers of English, mature and culturally sensitive
• Teachers trained to adapt to the different learning styles of each individual
• Innovative classes:
• Emphasis on real-life communication and interaction
• Training in both spoken English and formal written composition
• Culturally appropriate material
• In-class participation with an emphasis on practical application
• Flexible delivery – students can turn up any week.
• Lessons are clear and uncomplicated. Activities are provided in individual, small group and whole class settings. Users learn the basics of English grammar and punctuation, building on knowledge acquired at each stage to gain skills that will benefit them as employees and members of the community.

Objectives

Relative to language level, students are taught to:

• Understand and follow oral and written directions and instructions.
• Comprehend, respond to, and evaluate written information.
• Demonstrate verbal skills necessary to function effectively in English .
• Speak with accurate English pronunciation.

Goals

To enable learners of English:

• Use English to participate in social interaction;
• Use English in spoken and written form;
• Choose appropriate language variety, register, and genre according to audience, purpose and setting.

If you are interested in accessing English Language Classes, please express your interest by contacting us.