Our English learners at the Saltley Centre have achieved a lot.
Pan Macmillan, publishers of authors that include Joe Wicks and Angela Merkel, travelled from London to see just how great they are.
They were not disappointed when they did. In fact, by the end of the visit, the publishers were so impressed they gifted learners 47 books – a number significant to the Saltley group.
The day began with the learners meeting with senior executives; they understandably felt nervous, but it didn’t take long for the nerves to turn to excitement when talking about their English course.
One learner said:
“I felt great talking to the visitors. I liked telling them all about how literacy has impacted our lives”.
And for the team at Pan Macmillan, the progress was clear to see. Director of People and Culture, Briony Grogan, said:
“It was humbling to meet the inspiring learners and to understand how literacy is improving their lives from passing driving tests to succeeding in interviews and supporting their children’s education”.
Many learners in the Saltley group, and in groups across the city, had little experience with reading and writing before joining BAES. Although that hasn’t stopped the English team from being ambitious, which was recognised by Briony:
“It was clear how much of a difference they make to the learner’s lives both in and out of the classroom.”
The learners talked enthusiastically about Reading for Pleasure, a unit on their course which widened their reading experience. They spoke of how the focus on emotions helped them overcome their fears of reading.
They have discovered the depths of their imaginations and developed the confidence to share them. In a room full of publishing professionals, a learner read aloud their writing inspired by the Haunted Birmingham project – an unsettling ghost story that ensured no one in the room slept easy that night.
Reading has also deepened their understanding of themselves. A learner shared how characters and people in books have become relatable and inspiring, provoking questions such as, “If this person can succeed, why not me?”
The learners’ confidence continued to shine during the visit as they gave the Pan Macmillan executives a tour of the centre and their classroom. The visitors discovered a classroom full of warmth and pride: walls adorned with examples of their work and a corner library.
At home, reading has become more important; the learners share books and make time for bedtime stories.
They do not want to stop there
The learners told the visitors of their plan to have a reading picnic with all their children – all 47 of them. The executives from Pan Macmillan were so moved by their ambition and passion they have promised 47 books.
The group were proud after the event, and it was justified. They had the opportunity to share how far they had come and did so brilliantly.
