Breaking language barriers over coffee

STUDENT success . . . (from left) Imranul Hoque Shek, Darryl Allen (Rhode Island manager), Matt Corbett (Oldham College), Rimza Shakir, Amir Javaheri, Chourouk Dekkar, Ferhan Ali and Nowshin Akther

A COFFEE shop is helping students improve their English language skills and employability with work experience.

Oldham College has set up a partnership with Rhode Island Coffee in Spindles, which has seen more than 40 English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) students develop their practical English during weekly placements.

As well as improving their English skills, students gain work experience at the popular firm, which has seven other outlets in the North-West.

Students undertook a range of duties from serving customers to keeping the town centre premises clean and tidy.

Enjoyed

Matt Corbett, head of faculty for ESOL at Oldham College, said: "Rhode Island Coffee has been incredibly helpful and supportive.

"Our students have thoroughly enjoyed their work experience and have improved their spoken English as a result.

"Rhode Island is a fantastic company to work with."

Darryl Allen, from Rhode Island Coffee, added: "We have been very pleased by the application and enthusiasm all the students have displayed.

"As a company we are committed to making a strong contribution to our local Oldham community and are pleased to announce that the partnership will continue into the next academic year."