An academy in Manchester is playing a pivotal role in vastly improving the language skills of non-English speaking residents from all over the world.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Academy, run by skills specialist Seetec Outsource, is aiming to decrease unemployment and create a course to help non-English speakers integrate into their communities and boost their job opportunities.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment has risen to unprecedented highs – including a 2.6 percentage point increase in Manchester, bringing it up from 4.1% in March to 6.7% of the city’s working age population as of April 2020.
As well as increasing job opportunities, the course is keen to help its ESOL learners integrate into society, especially since lockdown has left many feeling isolated and alone; in turn affecting mental health.
The Academy said: “The deep-rooted values of the Skills Academy are aimed at empowering individuals across the community with the tools to achieve their work ambitions.”
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Lubna Abdelmoneim, mother of four, came from Sudan to Manchester last year and started the course in September.
She said: “I do this for job opportunities, but for my kids also, because I am learning here, now I have to keep up with them because my kids, they are learning fast.
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“I don’t want it to be like at some point different languages and I can’t understand what they are reading or what they are doing and then I can’t help them with their homework, so I would like to be able to help them. I want a better life.”
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As well as providing socially distanced face-to-face lessons during the week, the Academy has also given every ESOL learner a free tablet, with data and storage, as many may not have a home laptop or even a WiFi connection.
Tutor Nina Snelson said: “It’s about giving a bit more for them, so that they can learn more easily, rather than one; trying to learn a language, and then two; thinking I can’t do this because I can’t even see the screen.”
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Workbooks are also available to download for those without access to technology, and during the first national lockdown in March, Nina personally printed and posted workbooks to the learners in order to ensure that they were progressing.
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This course targets those who are aiming to improve themselves and their lives, and it is clear how important both the learning and the social interaction is for the people who attend.
Darko Cule, originally from Croatia, has lived in Ireland for the last four years, and moved to Manchester last year, where he found and lost a job in a short period of time due to the pandemic.
He said: “You don’t have anything to do you have to stay at home, and I don’t think this situation is good for anyone and I feel really good coming here every day Monday to Thursday, having a chat with my colleagues which I really like, jokes here, and it really helps.
“Especially because you learn something, English is not my first language you know and you can always improve and learn something new that will help you later.”
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Seetec Outsource
The lockdown caused issues for this course as it did across all educational settings, but the stakes were higher for these ESOL learners because many felt that their job prospects were hugely hindered until they had a stronger English Language base.
Michal Woszczyk is from Poland but has been a resident Mancunian for six years.
He realised his IT business was in trouble due to the pandemic and felt that he needed to improve his English skills in order to give his business the best chance to bounce back.
He said: “In the beginning it was very difficult for me to communicate with some customers because they did not feel very comfy when I spoke with them, but when I showed them how much experience I have, they trusted me. This is why I wanted to do this course.”
As well as his current IT business, Michal also has a history of tutoring in Poland in IT and graphic design, and he hopes to continue further down this career path upon the completion of the course.
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The community aspect of the courses on offer are essential; enabling people to sit in a room together and bond over a shared objective – which has a great impact on mental health but also helps to diminish prejudice and stigma.
Aiming to end stereotypes that surround many people who take this course was a key factor in why tutor Nina took this role.
She said: “As a British born individual I have a real problem with other individuals who have a negative opinion of people who can be considered an ESOL learner.
“They may be blamed for taking over certain aspects of the country etc, and it is something that I want to change.”
Nina encompasses everything that this course represents and every life-changing teacher that most of us have had, she is determined to help others make a positive change to their lives.
What is obvious about this course is that it is attended by people who are determined, intelligent and willing to learn in order to increase their chances at a better life.
Feature
Inside Manchester’s pro-am padel tournament where the sport shone bigger than the celebs
Harry Quick
We jumped on the court with Olympians, Footballers and TV celebrities to play the racquet sport that is sweeping the globe: let’s take a look inside the first pro-am padel tournament to ever take place in Manchester.
A host of famous faces gathered at Manchester’s newest state-of-the-art padel club, Pure Padel Manchester, for the fourth and final leg of the Pro-Am Padel Tour.
Whether it’s on social media, your mates in the office or your dad finding something as a substitute for the golf course, it seems like everywhere you look someone is telling you about the game of padel they have just had.
Countless sports personalities are getting involved which only highlights its ever-growing popularity and let me tell you, it’s clear to see why.
Household names from the world of sport and entertainment, including Olympic gold medal swimmer Adam Peaty and ex-footballers Phil Jones and Jill Scott were partnered up with top-level professionals to compete in a round-robin style tournament.
It’s fair to say even multiple gold medalists and Premier League winners had their competitive streak unleashed with this one and I’m going to say it… Peaty is definitely better in the water!
From the world of sport, we also saw former England and Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, Olympic swimmer Matt Richards and Man United great Katie Zelem – who achieved MVP on the day despite having only played once or twice before. Well in Katie!
Taking to the court from the screen we had Coronation Street star Adam Thomas, actor and I’m a Celeb runner-up Owen Warner and Sky Sports presenter Kyle Walker.
If you are not familiar with the sport or you have been living under a rock for the past 12 months, Padel is essentially a combination of tennis and squash – but a lot easier to pick up for a first-timer.
Brushing shoulders – and racquets – with some stars at the first-ever pro-am padel event in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc Group)
It is widely considered the world’s fastest-growing sport with 30 million players enjoying the technical and social game from more than 100 countries, and is on a fast upward trajectory in the UK.
Although originating in Acapulco, Mexico in the late 60’s, it swiftly made its way over the Atlantic when Prince Alfonso of Spain built two padel courts in Marbella and the Spaniards took to it like a fish to water.
With over 4 million players from Spain, the Iberian Peninsula is considered the home of the sport but with facilities like this popping up in town, Great Britain is becoming a padel force to be reckoned with.
Pure Padel‘s indoor arena protected us from the wintery Manchester conditions for a full afternoon of non-stop action alongside a DJ throughout and some quality street food to help refuel.
One main takeaway from the day is that this is a sport that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age or ability. Yes, there is no denying that the professionals are different gravy and I’m sure I saw some of them give the celebs the runaround with one hand in their pocket.
Pure Padel Manchester is a great facility, by the way – no wonder the Pro-Am Tour chose it. (Credit: The Manc Group)
A few were trying the game for the very first time, so a few misplaced drop shots, nervy second serves and ‘name in the headlines’ smashes were always to be expected. As the day progressed, you could see the development in each one of the celebrities thanks to their professional partners.
Jill Scott said “It was an honour to take to the court with the pros but it’s made me realise I need a lot more practice. If you practice, you will see a big improvement quickly. It’s easy to get the bug for it.”
Whilst three-time gold medalist Adam Peaty added, “I enjoy how Padel brings out my frustration. It’s a very technical sport but it’s always fun. I’m still learning but really enjoying it.”
Although practice makes perfect, I’m not sure he’ll be swapping the goggles for a racquet any time soon. To sum it all up, the biggest takeaway from the entire experience was that it wasn’t the collective celeb presence that shone: it was was the sport itself and how big a boom it is truly enjoying.
If you fancy giving it a go for yourselves, Pure Padel Manchester over on Cheetham Hill is open to the public right now – you can find out how to book yourself HERE.
Ravyn Lenae at Gorilla Manchester – Our ‘One Wish’ was granted
Thomas Melia
This was Ravyn Lenae’s first rodeo at Gorilla and it’s safe to say she had the Manchester crowd hooked on her live set like ‘Candy’ (sorry).
Only two lines in and three puns deep but Ravyn’s performance was nothing to joke about, especially with her to-die-for vocals and killer live accompaniment.
Her most recent album and tour are both branded, Birds Eye, and while Gorilla may not be the most panoramic place in our beautiful city to overlook the Manchester skyline, the bubbly and engaging crowd sure painted a pretty well-rounded picture of the Mancunian hospitality.
The introduction to ‘Bad Idea’ feels like a spaceship descending to earth and it couldn’t be more fitting because let’s face it, an artist this good simply can’t be living on the same planet as us she’s simply out-of-this-world.
Similarly, the follow-up ‘1 of 1’ has an identical space-tech vibe with a static-filled opening and instrumental making it a perfect predecessor. These two tunes have impressive soundscapes with the live drums even more so helping to excite a sold-out venue.
Ravyn Lenae wasn’t shy on stage, commanding the Gorilla stage.Lenae appreciating the roars of the Manchester crowd.Credit: Audio North/The Manc Group
Seven tracks into the setlist, Lenae knows how to keep Gorilla at her fingertips performing hits ‘M.I.A’, ‘The Night Song’ and ‘Candy’ back-to-back-to-back – easily the holy trinity of track runs on this tour.
Taken from her debut outing Hypnos, the afrobeats and lo-fi inspired ‘M.I.A’ doubles as a dancefloor filler and an instant crowd pleaser, ironically we were lost in the music.
The middle of this three-track-run ‘The Night Song’ keeps spirits high and boosts our confidence as the 25-year-old has us singing, “Hair down, feeling alright/ Got my edges on tight, It’s a party tonight”.
Her sweet-named album track ‘Candy’ jet sets us to a tropical paradise with its reggae-fused rhythms, and after a full ten minutes of side-stepping and attempting to dance, the cold temperature outside didn’t even cross the crowd’s mind.
Besides being some of her best numbers, these three upbeat tunes take us through a small piece of her past three projects with each of the singles featuring on a different respective release from 2018 all the way up to present day.
Nothing but love from Ravyn Lenae and her crew for the Mancs.Lost in music, Lenae and band at Gorilla, Manchester.Credit: The Manc Group
Steve Lacy produced ‘Sticky’ was another standout, her rocker chic-esque vocal style flaunts all over the live band’s arrangement as she flaunts, ‘What did you do?/ Got me confused’.
‘One Wish’ was ethereal; I may have an unfair bias with this single being my personal favourite in the American star’s discography, but the vocal delivery and Lenae’s characterisation elevated this to new heights – even better than its original studio recording, maybe.
Manchester never misses the chance for an encore, especially not when it’s the plucky guitar bop ‘Love Me Not’. Up there with one of her best.
The crowd erupted as Lenae asked, “You want one more?”, before whistling, “See right now I need you, I’ll meet you somewhere now”, it was obvious concertgoers wanted this show wasn’t done.
The Manchester date marks the final show of the whole tour and Lenae was feeling very reflective during song breaks, telling the buzzy crowd, “I’m so grateful that I still get to tour this part of the world and I appreciate you all braving the cold for me”.
When you’re getting to witness someone as remarkable as Chicago-born singer Ravyn Lenae, a little bit of nippy Manchester weather is nothing!
Gemma Bradley -
16th December 2020 
