The Face of ESOL: celebrating skilled students building futures through English learning

Capital City College (CCC)’s Face of ESOL campaign celebrates the talent, ambition and lived experience of students learning English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

The campaign aims to change perceptions of ESOL students, recognising that they are not solely learning a language. ESOL students are individuals with rich lived experience, and many are highly skilled and highly qualified in areas experiencing skills shortages across the UK.

The Face of ESOL campaign shines a light on these stories, highlighting the people behind the learning and the futures they are working towards.

At CCC, we support more than 35,000 students each year from over 130 nationalities. Around one in five students at the college are learning English as a second language, supported by more than 150 dedicated ESOL teachers across seven campuses. Their expertise, commitment and creativity play a vital role in helping students build confidence and progress towards work, further study and independence in the UK.

At the heart of the Face of ESOL campaign are individual student stories. Each featured student chose a single word to describe themselves, often reflecting their existing skills and hopes for the future.

Anne, originally from Brazil, describes herself as a “Scientist”. A qualified veterinarian, she is studying ESOL courses to build the confidence and language skills needed to validate her degree and return to her profession in the UK. “If today, I have one job as a veterinarian, I would love to work with this, but I need more English,” she says.

Aliou, who moved to London from Senegal, chose the word “Engineer”. Studying ESOL alongside maths, he is developing the English skills needed to study engineering. His studies highlight how ESOL can sit alongside other qualifications to support academic progression and entry into technical careers.

Bonny, a 27‑year‑old student from Honduras, identifies as a “Business professional”. She combines ESOL studies with a pastry course and hopes to work in marketing, sales or business administration before eventually opening her own restaurant. Her motto, “never give up”, reflects the resilience and determination shared by many ESOL students.

For others, the ESOL courses at CCC have been transformational. Rahela, originally from Afghanistan, arrived in London with very little English and now dreams of becoming a journalist. “Before, I couldn’t speak English. When I came to this college and studied, now I can speak,” she says.

Most recently the campaign featured at a designated ESOL conference held at our Tottenham campus. Assistant Principal Adam Beral, said: “At Capital City College, we are incredibly proud of the inclusive, high-quality ESOL provision we offer. Every day we see first hand that ESOL is about far more than learning English. It’s about unlocking potential. Our students bring with them a wealth of professional experience, ambition and resilience, and our role is to support them to unlock those strengths into meaningful, real world opportunities.”

The Face of ESOL campaign demonstrates how ESOL courses at CCC support students at every stage with flexible study options. Most importantly, it puts faces, voices and aspirations at the centre of ESOL, celebrating students as professionals, parents, creators and future leaders shaping their lives in London and beyond.

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