Courier services were busy when lockdown kicked in. Teachers joined the trend – delivering English work to learners’ homes.

While the move to online classes worked well for many of English Language Partners’  learners, not all were able to access the magical Zoom. Some live alone and really looked forward to their weekly classroom sessions as a social outing, as well as a learning experience.

Wellington teachers Bridget Porter and Kathy Ombler had nine keen learners on their delivery rounds during lockdown. Six hail from the centre’s Newtown class and three from Strathmore.

Initially, during lockdown Level 3, Bridget and Kathy delivered work to their learners’ letterboxes and collected the following week, with only phone contact allowed.

At Level 2, teachers could be more social. They’d stop for a chat, be invited in for cups of tea and, in one memorable visit, one sampled delicious, home-baked Injera, traditional bread from Ethiopia, made by Malkitu Wakijira.

Response from learners was delightful. Sons and daughters helped their parents with tasks. One married couple enjoyed a friendly rivalry as they tackled tasks together, and Kathy and Bridget sometimes returned home laden with home-grown vegetables from their learners’ amazing inner-city gardens.

For Bridget and Kathy, visiting learners in their homes has been a great way to get to know them outside of the classroom.

Learn English and make friends in our groups – now back in class!