A new ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) sanctuary class has been created in Bradford to help transform lives.
Starting on 2 August, the Laisterdyke Gambian Ladies class will help a group of female sanctuary-seekers to improve language skills, personal development, employability, health, and gain family support.
ESOL classes are designed to help individuals for whom English is not their first language. The course will help the group to speak and understand simple English and communicate their needs, ideas, and opinions.
Bradford College was recently awarded FE ‘College of Sanctuary’ status from City of Sanctuary UK for the exceptional level of assistance provided to some of the most vulnerable learners seeking sanctuary in the city. This is the first time a College in West Yorkshire has received this accolade.
Specialist Bradford College ESOL tutor, Ulfat, said:
“There’s such an amazing vibe there already. The ladies are so happy to have come together; there was a lovely atmosphere with laughing, help, and passion [to learn].”
The course is the result of ongoing collaboration between Bradford College Community & Distance Learning and the Bradford Metropolitan District Council Ward Officers, who cover Bowling, Barkerend, and Bradford Moor areas.
This follows the completion of more successful classes undertaken by sanctuary-seeking learners. Students from Ukraine and Iraq concluded an Introduction to Interpreting course through Bradford College, with some students even finding employment with translation firm, Enable2. There have been other cohorts of Ukrainian students including one class in Baildon.
Creativity and innovation are in full gear at Bradford College, where our 14–16 Motor Vehicle students have turned an everyday challenge into an exciting opportunity for learning and teamwork. During practical sessions, students found themselves drawn to a fully intact car in the workshop, a model that, while inspiring, often proved more distracting than productive. […]
Level 3 Science students recently swapped screens for streams, embarking on a two-day camping trip to Blackhills Scout Campsite in Bingley, despite the challenges posed by Storm Amy. The trip was held at the end of September and followed the success of a similar camp in June 2025 and was designed to help students develop […]
