In conversation with Jeremy Corbyn MP and Hau-Yu Tam

Students at Capital City College (CCC)’s Finsbury Park centre were treated to a visit from Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, and Hau-Yu Tam, an anti-racism campaigner and Green Party Councillor for Lewisham.

Organised in collaboration with the Islington North Youth Forum, close to 50 learners at CCC studying ESOL attended this event, to hear from the guest speakers about immigration. Discussions covered the challenges migrants face, how immigration affects everyday life, and what young people can do to impact policy and immigration.

Jeremy began with a talk on the strong history of immigration in the UK and about his experiences working overseas in the 1960s, doing volunteer teaching in Jamaica, and learning about people and society.

Jeremy shared some tips for the students attending: “Make the best of college. Do the best you can – then you can achieve great things later in life, work, professionally, whatever you end up doing. Put something back to the next generation, because we all work for the next generation.”

Hau-Yu touched on the difficulties immigrants face, and shared her family’s experience. From growing up working in a takeaway to helping her family run a small business, her stories demonstrated just how challenging life could be. She also encouraged students with an interest in campaigns and community to think about how they could get involved.

Hau-Yu added: “It was a great day, and wonderful to talk with the students here. I talked about the issues that a lot of migrants face in communities, and how schools are a really important place where you can build solidarity and look out for each other.”

One student facilitator said, “I’m studying ESOL here to improve my language, and the programme here today, this was very good. It was helpful for people and for students, so we really appreciate that.”

Curious to learn more? See online for the courses we offer in ESOL.

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