DCG Success Stories

Joining Lexis – Derby College Group’s programme for 16-19-year-olds whose first language is not English – marked the start of a fulfilling  career journey for Murad Abdollah.

Murad, now 28, came from the Netherlands to the UK with his family in October 2012 and immediately enrolled on the one-year full-time course at the Roundhouse.

He said: “I loved it. I’d been taught English at school in Holland but it was basic; how to say thank you, how to introduce yourself, how to be well mannered – that kind of thing.

“Being in the UK and speaking in English was not the same. The accent is different for a start, and the whole environment here is different so there was a lot for me to adjust to.”

After completing Lexis, Murad moved to Joseph Wright Centre where he took GCSEs then A-levels in Maths, English, IT and Psychology, getting grade C or above in all A-level subjects. Murad then spent six years in the property sector while studying part time for a degree in Sports Science at the University of Derby.

At the beginning of 2022 he changed career and is now on the patient care team of UK and US based healthcare group Bionical Solutions – a role he’s thoroughly enjoying.

Murad recently returned to College to give a presentation about his experience of Lexis.

He added: “Coming to the Roundhouse and joining Lexis when I first arrived in England gave me the structure I was looking for to progress. I’d recommend it 100% to anyone else who is new to the UK and wants to improve their English.

“Our teachers at JWC were so supportive and helpful. They knew that students in my group had been on the Lexis course and that English wasn’t our first language so they took that into account when teaching us.

“I’m still in touch with people I met on Lexis. We formed a bond at College and we check in on each other from time to time. I’m also in contact with the teaching staff too.”