Buddies are helping New Scots improve their English
Posted on 5 Sep 2024
New Scots across North Ayrshire are improving their English language skills thanks to a volunteer programme.
The Language Buddy scheme, being run by North Ayrshire Council’s Community Development team, is helping New Scots integrate into their communities.
The scheme pairs volunteers with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners so they can practise their English and become more confident in both speaking and listening.
Language Buddy volunteers are usually from the same town or village as the learner they are matched up with, and this helps them settle into their new life here in Scotland.
Community Development ESOL Tutor Joanna McCulloch explained: “ESOL practitioners act as mentors for volunteers throughout their time as a Language Buddy.
“Two of the benefits are inclusion and tailored ESOL support. Learners can integrate into their local community easier because the volunteers are from the same town, so they can make connections in the place they live.
“And the tailored ESOL support means the learners can ask their Language Buddy to teach them things like Scottish dialect – which there might not be time for in a bigger group class.”
Volunteer George McBride started as a Language Buddy when his wife passed away and he had some spare time, which he wanted to put to good use.
“I wanted to do something that would really impact, significantly, on the lives of other people. I would definitely recommend volunteering with this programme.”
Yuliia, from Ukraine, is a participant in the scheme and says it has definitely given her English skills a boost and she is now happy to hold conversations with people she meets.
She explained: “My English when I came to Scotland and my English right now is at a very, very different level. When I got to Scotland, I didn’t speak English because in school I learned German.”
The programme has helped Yuliya, also from Ukraine, improve her English as her Language Buddy uses humour, music and newspapers in their lessons.
“My English is improving, and I feel more comfortable and confident communicating with local people,” she said.
Rhonda Leith, Head of Service for the Council’s Connected Communities service, added: “It is wonderful to see volunteers giving up their time to help support our New Scots as they settle into life here in North Ayrshire.
“And it is fantastic to hear that the project is helping to improve the English language skills of those who need our help most.”
If you know someone whose first language isn’t English and needs support with their English, you can complete a short referral form online here: https://bit.ly/3ZEFrLj
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities across North Ayrshire to help New Scots improve their English and integrate into their community, you can fill in a form here: https://bit.ly/411LLO9