Spotlight on Talent: Munni Akter

“Knowing how to speak English can help if my family and I are sick. I need to be able to talk to the doctor about the symptoms, and be able to listen and understand what they are telling me. So learning to speak English is very important.”

Munni Akter
ESOL & Functional Skills Maths

With a desire to learn English, Munni Akter joined the College’s Adult and Community Learning campus to make the most of her learning opportunities here in the UK. Having almost completed her ESOL and Functional Maths courses, the 26-year-old plans to become a social worker and improve her connections with the wider community.

Born in Bangladesh, Munni moved to Italy when she was 16 and came to the UK in 2016 with her husband and children.

“I come to college during the day, and then I look after my children and husband in the evening,” she said.

“My family are very supporting of me learning English and they often ask what I have been learning when I return from college.”

“I have a great desire to help people”

Once Munni completes her courses this year, she will move onto another functional skills course next term to further improve her speaking skills. In the future, she hopes to go onto university and train to become a social worker.

“I have a great desire to help people, especially Muslim women who have not had access to education. I would like to help them integrate into society and to better themselves.”

“I feel happier when I am able to communicate”

Munni says communication is very important. She is using her ESOL course to become better at it, and improve her interactions with others.

“I am a ‘builder’ in my family. I build my home environment, trust and relationships with my children’s teachers, doctors and even the workers in the supermarket. I feel happier when I am able to communicate and make friends in and out of college.”

“Education is the backbone of society”

An advocate of life-long learning, Munni enjoys studying and coming to the College’s Whitehall campus, as it’s close to home. The learning environment makes her feel safe, and she has a great relationships with her tutors.

“I enjoy learning new things, and it’s nice that I can do this with without having to travel far. Education is the backbone of society. It is important to educate ourselves for the sake of our children and future generations.”

“Learning English can also help if my family and I are sick”

Munni also wants to learn to drive, and would like to develop her speaking and listening skills so she can understand instructions.

“Being able to drive is important to me, so I am able to drop my children off to school, and be able to travel around my local area.

“Knowing how to speak English can help if my family and I are sick. I need to be able to talk to the doctor about the symptoms, and be able to listen and understand what they are telling me. I need to independently read the packets of medication, so I can take the right dosage for myself or my young children. So learning to speak English is very important.”

I am proud to wear a hijab. I want to inspire other Muslim women to come to college to learn and improve their communication.”