Sharing a Story That Inspires
A highlight of the visit was student Najma Qureshi, who, as a guest speaker, shared her story with students in a Pre-Entry ESOL class. The class is taught by tutor Sofia Khan. Learners asked questions, developed their English and heard first-hand about Najma’s return to education and her achievements. Notably, ESOL learners build confidence through real conversations when they engage directly with inspiring peers like Najma.
From building her confidence in the classroom to having her family recipe published in Meet Our Mothers, part of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture programme, Najma’s story strongly resonated with those in attendance.
“I wanted to learn and speak very confidently,” Najma shared. “Sometimes people ask me something I can’t answer – now I want to learn more and more.”
By speaking openly and encouraging others, Najma helped create a supportive environment. As a result, learners felt empowered to take part, practice their language skills and reflect on their own goals.
A Journey Rooted in Family and Tradition
Najma was just 23 when she moved from Pindi Sabarwal, a small town in Pakistan, to Yorkshire. She started a new chapter far from her family. Through cooking, she has stayed closely connected to her roots. She uses cherished recipes to keep family traditions alive across generations.
A simple lentil dish, once made for her father-in-law who loved it, has become a family favorite. She continues to cook it with pride for her children and grandchildren. Today, she is a proud mother and grandmother, sharing both her heritage and her love of food.
From Family Kitchen to Published Cookbook
That personal connection has become a celebrated achievement story – her recipe for Urud Daal features in Meet Our Mothers, a Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture cookbook that brings together treasured dishes and stories from communities across the district.
“I thought I was dreaming when I saw my recipe for the first time,” Najma said. “My kids and husband were so excited when they saw me in the book, they bought four copies. I felt so proud!”
A Role Model for Lifelong Learning
ESOL tutor Rashid Hasan highlighted Najma’s impact on her peers:
“Najma is a dedicated and inspiring learner on our ESOL Confidence Building course at the Al-Mustafa Centre. Having her recipe published has really strengthened her confidence, and she proudly shared that moment with other students.
Inviting her to speak gave our learners the chance to practice their English in a meaningful way while hearing her story. She is a fantastic role model. She truly shows that it’s never too late to learn, grow and achieve your goals.”
Reflecting on the wider visit, Rashid added:
“My group of students from the Al-Mustafa Centre, on their very first visit to Bradford College, said this experience had been an eye-opener from them. I have received very positive feedback from my students.”
Looking Ahead to New Goals
Despite her growing list of achievements, Najma has no intention of slowing down. She continues to improve her English and hopes to take the next step towards studying GCSEs.
“I was really determined to improve my English, so when a group from Bradford College visited a women’s centre, I made sure to share my details. Soon after, my son told me about new classes starting in September and encouraged me to take that step. I’m excited and hopeful to continue my learning journey.”
Food, Culture and Connection
Many of the students taking part in the Q&A felt inspired by Najma’s journey and achievements. The session quickly turned into a lively discussion, with learners sharing their own experiences of food, culture and family traditions. Ideas began to flow, including the possibility of ESOL students creating their own cookbook.
Food proved to be a powerful universal language, bringing people together, sparking conversation and building confidence in a natural and meaningful way. As a result, ESOL learners build confidence through real conversations when they talk about relatable topics.
Encouraging Others to Take the Next Step
Najma’s story highlights the broader impact of ESOL provision in building confidence, independence and community connections. By sharing her experiences, she encouraged others to take part and engage more actively in their own learning.
She also used the opportunity to support other women who may feel unsure about returning to education.
“I want to tell other women not to stay at home and think it’s too late,” Najma said. “There are so many places to learn English. Don’t think about your age or your problems – keep busy, keep learning and believe in yourself.”
Opening Doors Through Education
Her journey reflects the power of education to open doors and inspire others across the community.
Start your journey today. Explore ESOL and adult learning opportunities at Bradford College and take the next step towards building your confidence.
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