Radio ESOL

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Ousmane

In this episode, we hear from Ousmane, a past ESOL student at the Enfield Centre, part of Leeds City College. Ousmane talks about what he did before coming to the Enfield Centre and the special memories he has from studying there. He also explains how his mentoring experience helped to change perceptions of refugees and he tells us about his future plans to become a politician in his home country. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Aram (part 2)

This is part 2 where Aram shares memories of studying at the Enfield Centre.  Aram also talks about what he went on to do when he left the Enfield Centre. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Aram (part 1)

In this episode, we hear from Aram, a past student at the Enfield Centre, part of Leeds City College. Aram tells us about the first time he came to study at the college and how he felt going to enrol and starting a new class.

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Halaih, Ivone and Manel, Entry 2 learners at the Enfield Centre, discuss their experiences in the UK and what role their community and neighbourhood play in their lives. 

"In our culture...if we want to find another home, first we have to find our neighbour before the home. Find the neighbour before the home." Halaih

"In our country, we have a special relationship with our neighbours." Manel

"In our country, we stay at home with family, neighbours don't mix...they are very reserved." Ivone

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

A short story written by Hamida Khoder. Hamida won this year's ilearn creative writing short story competition at college for her poignant story called Nora and The War, and was invited to write a new story to read aloud on Radio ESOL for Refugee Week 2021. 

"I am really proud because I'm a refugee. My way wasn’t easy. I worked hard, I cried. I felt scared, but I didn’t give up. I don't think I am alone. I found kind people like my family who supported me and stayed with me and helped me to arrive here today."

Listen to Josephine talking about her struggles and challenges during lockdown. She talks about how lucky she felt, having family around her, and what lessons she learned during this time.  

Did Josephine enjoy lockdown?

What happened to Josephine just before lockdown?

What challenges did Josephine face during lockdown? 

What did Josephine miss during lockdown? 

What has lockdown taught Josephine? 

Listen to Salahaldein from Sudan, introducing himself and talking about coming to the UK. He also talks about some of the things he likes to do. 

When did Salahaldein leave his country? 

Where did he live for one year? 

What are his hobbies? 

What does he enjoy doing? 

Episode 4: everything's blurred

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In episode 4, we hear Elsie talking about her new glasses.

(Flo and Elsie bump into each other on the way to the shops)

Flo: Elsie! Are you okay? You look a bit flustered!

Elsie: Oh it’s you Flo! I didn’t see you there! Not really, love, not really.

Flo: What’s up, love?

Elsie: It’s these new glasses I got fitted with yesterday.

Flo: I thought you were looking different!

Elsie: Yes, the opticians said I needed glasses so he gave me these. I can’t see a thing!

Flo: Oh no … did you say anything at the time?

Elsie: I didn’t like to be rude, he was such a pleasant fellow. I thought things seemed a bit blurred. I realised there was a problem when I started talking to a lamp post in the street. I thought it were a person!

Flo: Oh love. That’s no good.

Elsie: I know. And my favourite programme is on tonight. Antiques Roadshow. I’m worried I won’t be able to see the screen!

Flo: Well, that’s no good, love. Go back to the opticians and say you need new glasses.

Elsie: Do you think so?

Flo: Definitely. I’m free this afternoon. Do you want me to come with you?

Elsie: Would you? Oh, you are a love. Thank you! We could have a cup of tea in the café on the way home.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennifer Wright

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle

Episode 3: that new shopping centre

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In episode 3, we hear Flo & Elsie talking about the new shopping centre.

Flo and Elsie talk on the phone:

(phone ringing, Elsie picks up)

Elsie: Hello?

Flo: Morning, Elsie, it’s Flo here.

Elsie: Oh, hello Flo, nice to hear from you.

Flo: I was ringing to ask what you were doing today. Do you want to meet in the café on the high street for a cup of tea later?

Elsie: Well, I’ve just got in, Flo. I went into town today to see that new shopping centre.

Flo: Ah yes, which one’s that then?

Elsie: You know, the one at the bottom of Albert Street, near the train station.

Flo: Oh, I haven’t been there yet. I heard it had opened last week. What’s it like, Elsie?

Elsie: It’s very cold, Flo. Very, very cold.

Flo: Oh dear. That’s not good.

Elsie: I can’t afford to shop in there, it’s for the rich folk, attract them in, not for the likes of us, Flo.

Flo: Oh dear.

Elsie: Very cold, it’s not for us poor folk who live here, more to get people to come and visit. And it’s very big. Hundreds of shops in there. How can I get round all of THEM?

Flo: I couldn’t with my bad leg. Oh dear. Maybe I won’t bother going then.

Elsie: The toilets are nice though. They’ve got those new hand driers in. Blue lights and everything. Very modern.

Flo: That sounds nice. Maybe I will go in if the toilets are nice. Can’t hurt to look.

Elsie: Well, if you do, remember it’s very cold, wrap up warm, Flo. Now what’s that you were saying about a cup of tea this afternoon…?

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennie Cole  (with thanks to the 2  ladies on the local bus, who inspired this script)

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle

Episode 2: the price of things today

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In this second episode, we hear Flo & Elsie talking about food prices in supermarkets.

Flo: What’s that you’ve got there, Elsie?

Elsie: It’s a digestive biscuit Flo.

Flo: Oh I LOVE digestives. Especially the chocolate ones.

Elsie: I do too. But I tell you something …

Flo: What’s that?

Elsie: They haven’t half gone up in price recently!

Flo: Well you know why that is, don’t you!

Elsie: No?

Flo: Price of wheat. It’s skyrocketed. Just you look around your local supermarket you’ll notice!

Elsie: Really?

Flo: YES! Rice, bread, tea, chocolate …. Everything is more expensive now than it was this time last year. I wouldn’t mind but I’m on a pension! These supermarkets, they don’t think about that, do they!

Elsie: Oh I know what you mean … I can barely afford to feed my cat never mind myself.

Flo: It gets you down doesn’t it, Elsie.

Elsie: It really does, yes.

Flo: Here have another biscuit. While we can still afford it.

Elsie: I think I will.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennifer Wright

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle