by Oisin Duddy
Share
by Oisin Duddy
Share
North West Regional College languages’ lecturer, Arnie McAteer believes the college is providing a vital service for a group of refugees who fled war-ravaged Ukraine for safety in north west Ireland.
Arnie is teaching the group of 17 women English. However, he believes the twice-weekly classes provide much more than instruction in English. They are also a crucial platform for the women to come together and collectively deal with the shock of their forced departure from their homes as they embrace Irish culture.
A seasoned language lecturer, Arnie has taught people from all over the world.
“It’s a social thing as well where they meet up on a Tuesday and Friday and they’re so friendly. I tend in the class not to bring up things so that they feel safe in the class but, if they bring it up, I’ll chat to them about it but if they don’t bring it up I won’t. I just want to make it a place that they look forward to coming to,” he said.
The classes were organised by the Foyle Friends of Ukraine although many of the students already had good English.
“It’s a great class; there are different levels,” Arnie said.
Related Posts
By Izzy Bland A former student has donated over 100 Empire Magazine editions going back over two decades to NWRC. Many of them feature interviews with emerging directors who went on to huge success as well as iconic films including Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Paul McElwee from Strabane, graduated in journalism from […]
By Rhiannon Muise A Derry band, whose members are all neurodiverse, are playing a gig at the Millennium Forum next month, The High-End Dead include Aidan Lynch (keyboardist), Owen Coyle (lead singer), Jack McHale (Band Manager), Caoilte Canning (Drummer) and Jason Welsh (drummer and vocalist). The band share a common ground not only with music, […]
By Tracey Villa An action plan for services for women is to be implemented in Northern Ireland over the next few years. The Women’s Health Action Plan will focus on areas which cover the whole life course, including fertility and pregnancy, post-natal healthcare, baby loss, menopause, and gynaecological services. Lack of women’s health services have […]
By Laura O’Neill Strabane will celebrate St Patricks Day with an array of music and drama activities on Sunday March 17. The much-loved annual parade will depart from Melmount Road at the Holy Cross Primary School at 2pm. The parade will move to Bridge Street, Market Street, Abercorn Square, Railway Road and finish in Dock […]
