Manuela Gallova
Study Type: Adult and Community
Study Location: The Roundhouse
Subject Studied: ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Taking ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses with Derby College Group has helped Slovakian-born student Manuela Gallova pursue her dream of becoming a criminologist.
Manuela, who moved to the UK in 2019, is starting a degree in Criminology and Psychology at Portsmouth University in September.
She said: “I wanted a change, to see another county and develop new skills so I came to Derby as I have friends here.
“I got a job in a warehouse when I first arrived but found the work repetitive after a I while.
“I knew that if I wanted to do something else, I’d need to improve my English, which was very poor at that time.”
So, Manuela enrolled at DCG’s St James Centre, where she took entry levels 1 to 3 in English and level 1 maths.
She added: “I enjoyed college. My level 3 English teacher was so nice. She helped me to improve my English significantly.
“I asked her for extra homework so I could get further with my learning. My teacher on the level 1 and 2 English courses was extremely helpful too.
“He taught me a lot of idioms and vocabulary. And my maths teacher for Entry Level 1 Mathematics was also great. She taught me the names of geometrical shapes.
“All three teachers were brilliant and have helped me on my journey to university.”
Manuela has now finished college and is looking forward to starting her degree – a move which she says, “would not have been possible without Derby College and the ESOL courses.”
She added: “Criminology is always something that’s interested me. It’s partly from watching crime documentaries but also from talking to my sister who is studying Criminology at university in Prague and my brother, who is a solicitor.
“I’d love to do criminal investigative work once I’ve graduated.”
I enjoyed college. My level 3 English teacher was so nice. She helped me to improve my English significantly.