Caroline Haddock
When Caroline Haddock, 33, from Ghana started studying at City College Plymouth, she was unable to read and write; in fact she didn’t even know that English was written from left to right.
Initially, Caroline signed up for Entry Level Literacy Level 1, where she was diagnosed with dyslexia, but she has now gone on to achieve Entry Level 2 and is working towards Entry Level 3.
Caroline has discovered that her new skills benefit every aspect of her life. Alongside her studies, she works full time as a cleaner and now that she can read and write, she is able to complete her own paperwork. “I write at work for equipment and health and safety,” she said. “I can also hold a confident conversation and my English speaking is a lot better, whereas before I found myself short of words.”
It’s not just at work that her new skills are put to good use. She feels more confident to participate at home and at church, she reads Quick Reads books, magazines and newspapers. She said, “I have learnt how to read and write English and did it because I knew it would open up my chances for careers and opportunities.”
“Learning means I can be independent. I can write letters. I can go out there and achieve something. For me, it means a lot to be able to get on and maybe even go to university.”
“Before I was depending on my husband to do everything for me, I couldn’t even use a card machine. He is so proud of me; it has really changed our lives.”