Proud to be a College of Sanctuary
Wirral Met College is proud to be the first college in the Liverpool City Region to receive College of Sanctuary status.
What is a College of Sanctuary?
A College of Sanctuary is a college that has gone above and beyond to support refugees and people seeking asylum and help raise awareness about migration and why people seek safety amongst students, staff and the wider community. Through this national award, good practice is recognised and celebrated and other institutions are then encouraged to provide more inclusive education and support.
Wirral Met College is proud to be an inclusive college, as the largest provider for children looked after, care leavers, and also serves over 500 ESOL students (English for Speakers of Other Languages), including 200 refugees and asylum seekers.
Wirral Met College has become just the 13th Further Education college to receive this honour.
Courses for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students
If English isn't your main language, our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses can help you improve all aspects of your language skills. Our experienced staff will support you to improve your English and gain a nationally recognised qualification. Students also learn how to access travel, housing, healthcare and the job market alongside tours of our city region. Discover our courses below:
Interpreting Award - X047
The course will give you an introduction to interpreting skills including techniques and code of practice. You will also focus on specific vocabulary fields relating to interpreting and do a lot of role play on the course. You will combine this with a unit on developing interpersonal skills.
ESOL - English for Speakers of other Languages - X999
The course aims to help you gain a good knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and functional language for everyday life and provides opportunities for you to practise these skills.
Interpreting Award - X046
The course will give students more knowledge of the practicalities of employment as an interpreter. Students will also have the opportunity to further practise and refine their interpreting skills. Students will practise in routine role play situations and also through sight translation.
Proud to support asylum seekers and refugees
At Wirral Met College, we have continued to demonstrate our commitment to providing not just learning, but opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees.
In April 2022, Wirral Met College offered free English for Speakers of Other Languages courses to all Ukrainian adults and their family members, supported through the UK Government's 'Ukraine Family Scheme' and the 'Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme'
In March 2022, the College led a donation drive for much needed essentials for Ukraine. The Students' Union and ESOL students led the campaign to collect items such as nappies, sanitary towels, first aid kits, hairbrushes, sleeping bags, clothing, toys, toothbrushes, and more.
In June 2022, our ESOL students took part in a local initiative, funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority which aims to help new arrivals as they seek to integrate and improve their English language skills. Students visited a local bowling green, learning to play the game with help from members of the local community.
As 2022 drew to a close, a group of refugees and asylum seekers ESOL students at Wirral Met visited a local community hub, joined by ukulele group, The Neston Strummers, to perform a variety of Christmas classics for residents with dementia. Click the video below to see our ESOL students bring Christmas joy to people living with dementia.
