Learning / Somali
Supporting Somali mothers to learn English
After research conducted in summer 2018 found that Somali women were often unable to access language classes in the city centre because of their family responsibilities, Bristol Centre for Linguistics at UWE Bristol and the Somali Resource Centre saw a need to help these Somali women.
The result was a programme of community-based English classes. The project identified the specific learning and communication needs of Somali women and supports them in improving their English language skills.
The project is celebrating its second year with the start of the new academic term.
is needed now More than ever
The collaboration between UWE Bristol and the Somali Resource Centre is supporting Somali mothers
“We became aware of this isolation within the community. For Somali women, there isn’t enough support to learn the English language,” says Dr Kate Beeching, associate professor of applied linguistics and co-founder of the project alongside Abdullahi Farah, director of the Somali Resource Centre.
After children start school, English often replaces Somali as the child’s primary language and mothers in the Somali community expressed a desire to improve their English speaking skills to help them communicate more easily with their loved ones.
“Our children are Somali children until they go to school, then they become Bristol children,” said one Somali mother involved in the project.
Somali children learn more English skills when they start school, which can make it difficult for mothers to communicate with them
The weekly classes offer conversational support in a safe environment and is a chance to practise conversations that can happen in real life, such as doctor’s appointments and parents’ evenings.
Students at UWE have been actively involved with the project since the project launched in summer 2018 and have become an instrumental part of the language classes.
“Our mentors and students are able to offer one to one support to the women, in an informal setting, which is something not offered in the city right now,” says Dr Charlotte Selleck, who is a senior lecturer in linguistics at UWE Bristol and specialises in community bilingualism.
Traditional language classes are often inaccessible for Somali women, who may have to look after young children or struggle with public transport to the city centre.
The classes are held at the Somali Resource Centre and the team also arrange excursions to introduce Somali women to landmarks and activities around the city.
The course is celebrating its second year
“We’ve had large celebratory meals with traditional Somali foods, and also held a Macmillan coffee morning. It’s all about celebrating diversity,” says Charlotte. “It can be surprising how little the women have explored the city they live in.
“It would be good to see more support like this for isolated communities in the city. It’s something Bristol really needs.”
Read more: Interpreting the future
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