Spotlight on Megalearn
Megalearn is an education and social centre based at the Megacentre in Sheffield. If you want to learn English or make new friends, we can’t think of a better place to be. We are looking forward to meeting a brand new you!
Megalearn Vision Statement
Megalearn is the Megacentre’s community education provider which seeks to promote social inclusion and lifelong learning by enabling learners to access a broad range of learning, educational and training opportunities, enhance employment prospects and increase self esteem.
What is Megalearn?
Megalearn is Hope City Enterprise’s Adult & Community Education department which currently provides ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and `Computers for Beginners’ courses at the Megacentre. Situated in the heart of Sheffield, the Megacentre is within 10 minutes walking distance of the city centre and is also easily accessible by bus, tram or car.
Our desire is to provide a variety of learning opportunities for local people in order to help them regain confidence, learn new skills, enhance job prospects and gain an increased sense of community.
How did it all begin?
Megalearn, formerly The Mega ESOL Project, was born out of a response to the growing crisis in Kosovo and other arenas of conflict, with the resulting influx of refugees into Sheffield. One practical way the Megacentre was able to help was to provide English classes that could better equip refugees and asylum seekers in accessing basic services necessary to their survival.
ESOL … from 2000
In September 2000, a 10 week ESOL evening class was launched, initially with learners mainly recruited from contacts in the YMCA. From January 2001 we also ran a day-time class and the Project continued to develop.
Over the last 6 years Megalearn has enrolled men and women of all ages and backgrounds representing a total of about 40 countries around the world. During the last academic year (2005-2006) we catered for up to 40 learners at a time.
Learners on our ESOL programme (English for Speakers of Other Languages) have mainly come from the following communities in Sheffield:
Refugees
Asylum Seekers
Ethnic Communities
Members of the European Union
Funding and Accreditation
In June 2003 Megalearn was awarded ongoing core funding for its courses from the South Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) via Sheffield City Council.
Until July 2005 all our ESOL courses were accredited with the National Open College Network (NOCN). In August 2005 we became an approved centre to run internationally recognised City and Guilds Qualifications.
We currently successfully run City & Guilds accredited ESOL classes from Entry Level up to Level One. In September 2006 we launched our new ESOL Level 2 course.
Computer Classes…from 2005
At Megalearn we also run Computer Courses for beginners and those who would like to overcome their fear of technology so that they can get the best use out of computers for personal and work purposes.
From April 2005 we ran a number of `Computers for Beginners’ courses as part of the LSC’s Yorkshire Forward and Learning Net Initiative. Earlier in 2006 we also ran a `Word Processing for Beginners’ Course funded by Sheffield City Council’s Adult & Community Learning Unit (ACLU).
What about the Future?
Through the coming 2006-2007 academic year exciting additions to our existing programme include: Adult Literacy, Parenting and an increased provision of Computer Training.
Autumn 2008 sees Megalearn moving into much larger purpose-built accommodation situated in the basement of the Megacentre. This will comprise 4 new classrooms, a breakout and refreshment zone and its own reception. Along with this significant increase in space comes the capacity for more classes and the opportunity to fulfil our vision.
What other learners say about Megalearn - (Learners’ Names have been changed)
Tinotenda – (Zimbabwean)
“I came to the Megacentre in 2003. I had an interview with the teacher which I felt went well … I felt very welcomed. I think I am improving in my writing. I also have problems with pronunciation of certain words, but again I think I am improving. I also did some computer courses which I really enjoyed. I hope that when I complete the course I will do well in my exams. I feel that I enjoy my time at the centre because I get to share ideas with others. When I am in doubt I feel that I can ask the tutor. I feel I have come a long way.”
Hua – (Chinese)
“I learn English at the Megacentre about 2 years. The Megacentre English course helps me, so that I can borrow books in the library, have opened an account in the bank, have conversation with my neighbour, rent house from the agent, and bought car on the internet.”
(Hua – enrolled on an Entry 3 course in September 2004. She achieved the full ESOL NOCN Entry 3 Qualification and from April 06 has been attending the City & Guilds Level 1 ESOL course.)
Anwar – (Pakistani)
“I feel myself confident in speaking English now. In my opinion the people who do not speak or understand English should come to the Megacentre, especially if they want to survive in this country. I also realise that mostly people speak without the proper grammar. In Megalearn I came to know how we should speak.”
(Anwar only recently enrolled on the ESOL City & Guilds Level 1 course.)
Amina – (Somalian)
“When I came to Megacentre (June 2003) I cannot speak good English, but now I feel better about reading, writing and speaking. I mean I can understand when somebody talks with me, and I can watch the news on the TV.”
(Currently Level 1, Amina achieved full ESOL NOCN Qualifications at Entry Level 2 & 3. Recently she passed one City & Guilds ESOL Unit at Level 1 in Reading.)