Loneliness can affect people from all walks of life. This month we aim to share with you some of our programmes that are aimed at combatting loneliness and bringing people together. There is nothing more isolating than moving to a new country where you don't know anyone or speak the language.
Our Conversation Club helps local residents learn English so that they can connect with others, find employment or simply build a life here.
Hear from Haeun, a local resident originally from South Korea, who has found friends and positive energy as a result of joining our conversation club.
My name is Haeun and I am from South Korea. I love meeting new friends, drinking coffee, and learning English. I moved to Lincoln last January with my husband.
I still vividly remember the first day when I moved to Lincoln. It was cold at that moment. Back then, everything was new for me. This is because it was my first visit to the UK. To adapt myself to this new environment, I tried to explore all around the city of Lincoln. However,
because of Covid-19 restrictions, there were not many places to go and visit. In addition, it was not easy to meet people. After Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, I started to look for English classes and finally I had found this English Conversation Club at Lincoln City Foundation.
Now, it has been about 4 months since I have come to English classes.
Thanks to the Conversation Club, firstly, I have got more opportunities to practice speaking English with many people. From my experience, even if I am living in the UK, it was not easy for me to have a chance to speak English.
As you already know, learning the local language is one of key factors when you live in other country as a foreigner. Thankfully, through the lessons at Lincoln City Foundation 2-3 days a week, I could have practiced speaking English by talking with people in class. I have learned good English expression and practiced speaking that right after learning.
Whenever I ask some questions to Neville, he always kindly answers my questions. Neville is nice and supportive teacher to international friends. Sometimes, I joined some activities organized by Lincoln City Foundation so that I met several local British people and had a chat with them. I appreciate Neville teaching English to us and organized meetings for us.
Additionally, through the Conversation Club, I have met a lot of international friends who are from a variety of countries such as Ivory Coast, Iran, Bulgaria, Mexico, Sudan, Hong Kong etc. I love spending a time with them and getting to each other. Here, English is a bridge between us.
Even though we all are from different countries and each person has own mother tongue, but when we have conversation in English, we can communicate in one language so that it makes us connected to each other.
During the conversation, I learn something about other cultures, their values to life, and history of other countries. I think that communicating with people from other countries is
interesting to me and it motivates me to learn English more.
Since the middle of July, I started volunteering for the Conversation Club. As an official volunteer, I have had extra English classes with several international friends by teaching English. After I came to the Conversation Club, I realized that there are many foreigners living in the city of Lincoln and some of them are having difficulties speaking English. Although I am not a native speaker, I was thinking that I wanted to help them as far as I can.
For extra English classes, we usually have another review session what we learned last class. Sometimes, we just have a chat over a cup of coffee or meet outside.
I just want to say that this English Conversation Club means a lot to me. It brings positive energy into my life. If you want to learn English more, please come and make new friends. You are not alone!
I hope that more international friends come to this English Conversation Club and enjoy their time by supporting each other.
Find out more about our online and in person Conversation Club Classes here
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