More Than Learning English

Language, Friendship and Finding a Place in a New Community

Moving to another country doesn't mean leaving your education, experience and professional identity behind.

After a 20-year career in social work in Hong Kong, this learner came to EMBS wanting to develop practical English and meet people from different backgrounds. What followed was about much more than language.

“I came here wanting to be surrounded by diversity. I found it and it helped me find my place here too.”

My Story

Before moving to the UK, I had a very different life.

I lived in Hong Kong and worked as a social worker for around 20 years, including working in kindergartens and family centres. I have a Master's degree in Social Work and had a good experience of education.

So when I arrived in Britain, I wasn't starting again because I lacked education, skills or experience. But in some ways, I was still starting again.

I'd visited the UK before on holiday. Living here permanently was completely different.

At first, I felt strange and lonely. I didn't have the friends and support network I'd had in Hong Kong. There was the language, colder weather, different food and new everyday routines to understand. I had attended English classes before, but they were mainly focused on grammar.

I wanted something different. I deliberately chose not to attend classes specifically for the Chinese community. I wanted to meet people from different backgrounds and make new friends.

That's one of the things I've found at EMBS.

The English lessons are interactive. We read interesting things, discuss them and connect our learning to real life.

Speaking and listening have been particularly important for me.

The more I've spoken, the more confident I've become.

But EMBS has given me something beyond English.

Friendship.

I remember our end-of-term celebration. Everyone brought traditional food and shared it.

Now some of the people from my class are arranging to meet for lunch during the holidays.

These are no longer simply people I sit next to in a classroom.

They're friends.

That sense of connection has helped me adapt to life here.

I've also progressed outside college.

When I first arrived, I had so many worries about whether I could build a life here.

I started by volunteering.

Around a year later, I found a job.

Now I'm working full time.

I'm proud that I've adapted relatively quickly, and becoming more confident speaking and listening has played an important part in that.

Even some ordinary parts of my life have changed. In Hong Kong I worked full time and hardly cooked. Here, I've had to cook much more.

So apparently I've improved my English and my cooking!

When I look at what EMBS has given me, it isn't simply a language course.

I've learned.

I've become more confident.

I've met people from backgrounds different from my own.

I've made friends.

And I've started to feel more connected to my new community.

That's why I recommend EMBS to other people I meet.

I came here wanting to be surrounded by diversity. I found it and it helped me find my place here too.