The demand from migrant workers for English language classes in Lochaber is increasing month on month according to the local migrant worker forum.

The class roll has risen from 20 at the start of the year to 54 in May and continues to increase as more and more people come into the area and seek to contribute effectively to their new community.

Many of the new arrivals are employed in the catering and fish processing industries. By offering classes at flexible times of the day and evening to fit in with shift working, the Lochaber Migrant Worker Forum has seen a steep rise in uptake and there is a growing need to provide more tutors to cope with the demand.

Lochaber Enterprise (LE) is funding the expansion of the classes which have been organised by a wider partnership, led by Highland Council's education department.

Morven Cameron of LE explained: "The ability to speak English is at the very heart of enjoyable community integration. Migrant workers are contributing a great deal to the local economy, filling gaps in our labour market and are a welcome addition to our social mix.

"With better spoken and written abilities they are able to offer more skills and find it easier to go shopping, make friends and do all the things that make life more rewarding for everyone in a community."

Confirming the benefit of the Fort William courses, Bohumil Roznovjak from the Czech Republic, said last week: "I am much more confident in everyday life because, after a few months at this course, I don't need a translator any more."
 
Agnieszka Rzeszot from Poland, added: "I am not afraid to speak now because people say my English is good," while Zaneta Gwardys, also from Poland, explained: "I have more confidence.  I can speak with the head teacher when I ask for information."

Martin Franko from Slovakia expressed his delight: "I can use the phone. Before I was afraid to pick it up!"

More tutors are urgently sought to provide classes planned for Fort William, Ballachulish and Mallaig. Anyone holding a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages qualification who might be interested, should contact Ann Marie Donoghue, ABE/Continuing Education Co-ordinator, Community Learning and Leisure Service on 01397 707371, or email her at ann-marie.donoghue@highland.gov.uk