Lewisham College recently hosted a talk featuring six ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) alumni who shared their success stories with current learners. The alumni, who excelled in their respective careers after attending university, spoke about their experiences at the College and their gratitude towards the ESOL programme and the opportunities it opened in their lives. Their appreciation for the programme is a testament to its value and the impact it can have on one's life.
The guest speakers included Isatou Dibaga, Moeen Mohammady, Valerie Rojas Perez, Iuliia Dudii, Omar Yaquobi, and Laura Sanchez.
Isatou Dibaga studied ESOL at Lewisham College in 2014. She shared her journey from being rejected for a sales job in London due to language barriers to pursuing a BA Honours degree in Fashion Design at the London School of Fashion and later a Master's in High Couture at UAL Central Saint Martins. Isatou's has worked with Guess, Louis Vuitton and Chanel and is currently working with Gucci. She credited her success to the confidence and skills gained through the ESOL programme, such as improved communication and critical thinking, left an impression on the audience.
Moeen Mohammady completed the ESOL course from 2012 to 2014. He shared his transformation from working in a bar with limited English proficiency to earning a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Greenwich. Moeen's journey was not without its challenges, but his unwavering perseverance and dedication to his studies are a testament to his success. His story serves as a powerful inspiration for current learners, encouraging them to remain focused and disciplined in pursuing their goals.
Valerie Rojas Perez, an ESOL student from 2020 to 2023, expressed her gratitude for the ESOL course, which helped her secure a job as an enrolment officer at Lewisham College. She is now studying Criminology and Forensic Psychology at Kingston University.
Laura Sanchez, who completed the ESOL course from 2013 to 2016, pursued her goal of becoming a scientist by enrolling in the Access to Higher Education in Science program at Lewisham College. She now works as a Biomedical Scientist for the NHS and aims to pursue a master's in clinical studies. Her current achievements and future goals are a testament to the long-term impact of the ESOL programme.
The alumni's inspiring stories served as a testament to the transformative impact of the ESOL programme delivered at Lewisham College. Their journeys, which took them from facing language barriers to excelling in their chosen fields, inspired current learners to believe in their potential and the transformative power of education.
To learn more about ESOL courses at Lewisham College, visit lewisham.ac.uk/esol.
