Radio ESOL

Written by Jennie Cole Flo: Jennie / Elsie: Hilary / Party Host: Ahmed With special thanks to Azmera, Pricila, Nelson, Marinela and Gheorghina PART 1: (a car can be heard driving; there is the sound of a horn)  Flo: Come on Elsie, hurry up! (a car door opens then closes and the car sets off) Elsie (breathless): I’m sorry I’m late, Flo! Flo: Why are you so late? What have you been doing? Elsie...

REFUGEE WEEK 2021 Writing and Me To complete our Refugee Week 2021 program, we hear Hamida Khoder talking about when she first started writing short stories and what inspires her to write. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021 My Pecan Pie Future Mounira, a past learner at the Enfield Centre, talks about her baking skills, how she started baking and what she hopes to do in the future. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021 Memories of Enfield & My Future: Tarek In this episode, we hear from Tarek, a past student at the Enfield Centre, part of Leeds City College. Tarek talks about his progression at Enfield and why it was important for him to learn English. He also shares his good news of graduating from Bradford University and offers advice to other learners.  

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 abo...

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 n...

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 gi...

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 ta...

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...

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....

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?...

Episode 1: why don't you...?  In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In this first episode, Flo doesn't know what to do at the weekend and we hear Elsie offering lots of suggestions.  Flo: I don't know what to do this weekend… Elsie: Ahh, okay, erm, why don't you go to the cinema? Flo: It's too expensive, I haven't got any money. Elsie: Hmm, okay. Maybe...

Listen to Roya from Iran, introducing herself and talking about where she lived before coming to Leeds. She also talks about her hobbies and what she enjoys doing.

Listen to Gheorghina talking about how she coped when she was ill with coronavirus. She talks about spending time with her family and shares her new lockdown hobby, playing chess with her son. She also tells us what this experience has taught her.  

Listen to Hamida reading her story called Nora and The War. Hamida won a college creative writing competition for this story. Before Hamida reads her story, she talks about how winning the competition made her feel.  NORA AND THE WAR Nora was born in a nice country with a beautiful big house and a beautiful garden. She loved the garden because there were beautiful red flowers. She liked to st...

Listen to Ebrahim talking how he used his time in lockdown to learn how to cook. Ebrahim also talks about his plans to travel when lockdown ends.  Where does Ebrahim want to travel to? Does Ebrahim want to travel to a hot or a cold country? Can you make a list of 3 hot countries and 3 cold countries? Where would you like to travel to? Would you prefer to travel to a hot or a cold country? Why...

Listen to Maria talking about lockdown and how she's learned to be patient during this time. She talks about enjoying having more family time and what her lockdown daily routine is like. She also talks about what she misses and how she enjoys having more time to read novels and write short stories.  

Listen to Nelson talking about the 'new normal' and how he's spending time with his family. He talks about how he's used technology to bring his family together and how he's had to learn how to cut hair and be the family barber. 

Listen to Azmera talking about her struggles with lockdown. She talks about the challenge of home studying with her children and juggling her studies with family responsibilities. She talks about finding the positives in lockdown and trying something new to avoid boredom. She also talks of learning about the value in everyday things during her time in lockdown. 

Listen to Baydaa talking about life with her children in lockdown. She talks about how excited and happy she feels studying and seeing her teacher and classmates online. She talks about how she enjoys sharing experiences with her class, not just studying language. She talks about her hopes for the future and to be able to travel to Iraq to see her family.   

Listen to Esther talking about the challenges of lockdown. She talks about the importance of family support and shares her new hobby that has kept her busy during this time. She lists what she plans to do once lockdown finishes and finally, she tells us what lockdown has taught her.  What does Esther do to keep busy in lockdown? What has she enjoyed during lockdown? What new hobby has Esther...

Listen to Desiderio talking about the challenges of coronavirus and what he does to stay busy. He also talks about how lockdown has made him recognise our need to socialise.  How does Desiderio keep busy during lockdown?  What challenges does Desiderio face during lockdown? What does Desiderio miss during lockdown? Has lockdown been productive for Desiderio?  Has your experience bee...