Elena tells us how learning English as a foreign language (EFL) has been a life changing experience….

Name: Elena Zurita-Lopez
Course: English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
Institution: The College of North West London

Elena, 28, came to London from Madrid in Spain two years ago. She took four six-month EFL classes in succession – Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2 – and is now a teaching assistant in Barnet, with her sights set on going to university. Elena chose the College because she was impressed by the variety of teaching methods used by the tutors.

She explains: ‘When I came, I didn’t speak English at all, but now I am much more confident, and thanks to the lessons, I’ve got a better job so it’s made a big difference. To have this kind of resource in the borough of Brent is amazing – the College has been one of the best things that’s happened to me since I arrived in London. They gave me the most important tool to gain my future professional and academics goals: English as a second language.
I will always be grateful to my teachers and the College in general for that. I now work in a day community special school for pupils aged 11-19 years and I’m really happy – I’m learning a lot. Next year I hope to go to Birkbeck College, London, to study community development. My advice to anyone thinking of taking a course is – be patient. You can’t do it in a day. Sometimes you feel frustrated because it’s taking a long time, but persevere because it’s worth it.’
 

There are plenty of English courses all over the UK. Have a browse of all the English courses on offer or search specific types such as English As A Foreign Language, English As An Additional Language, English For Speakers Of Other Languages, Business English, or English for Academic Purposes.