College festival celebrates cultural diversity

Over 50 students, who are taking part in a range of courses where they learn English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), enjoyed bringing together information, foods and objects from their native land.

Students showcased a range of countries including Latvia, Poland, Afghanistan and Egypt. Martina Leganova, originally from Slovakia has been in Scotland for 8 years and moved to the UK due to her husband’s job. Martina decided to come to college to brush up on her English and gain a qualification which would help her longer term.

Daila Smith from Latvia has been in Scotland for six years – learning English is helping her health and wellbeing business where she makes her own beauty products and soaps and is keen to progress on to study health related subjects at Fife College.

Ali Hassanzadah, from Kirkcaldy, was relocated to the UK from Afghanistan while working for the Foreign Office. Said Ali: “Coming to College has enabled me to improve my English and qualifications – I am currently studying SWAP NQ Access to Humanities and hope to go on to University after the summer to study economics and politics.”

Ali’s wife Saira, who is an excellent dressmaker, also attends College to study ESOL and brought a range of handmade-garments to the event as well as wearing hand-made national dress of Afghanistan on the day.

Lecturer Kasia Bakowska, who helped organise the event, said: “The Diversity Festival is a great celebration of different cultures and helps students improve their confidence and language skills. The students put in a great deal of effort and time to make it a great success.”

For further details about ESOL courses available at Fife College visit www.fife.ac.uk or call 0344 2480115.