For Ukrainian artist Svitlana Norel, moving to Scotland was a life-changing experience. Now living in Galashiels with her son, she is working hard to rebuild her career while improving her English skills through the ESOL course at Borders College.
Svitlana, a former art teacher from Odessa, hopes to continue her passion for teaching in Scotland. Learning English has been a crucial step in that journey. She also attends the Conversational Café and online conversation classes to enhance her skills.
Despite the challenges, she finds learning English rewarding:
“Knowing another language opens up the whole world. English is international and allows you to communicate with people from different countries. The key to learning is regular practice—listen to music, read short articles, and enjoy the process.
"The ESOL course has been vital to my progression in this country," Svitlana said. "When I arrived, I didn’t understand English, and it was very difficult. Now I can have conversations, which is so important for everyday life.”
In addition to her studies, Svitlana continues to work as an artist, selling her paintings online. She hopes to teach art in Scotland while pursuing her creative career.
Her journey highlights the importance of language education in helping refugees and immigrants integrate into their new communities. With determination and support, Svitlana is embracing her new life in Scotland, proving that art and language can bridge cultures.
Check out Svitlana’s artwork here:
https://www.artfinder.com/artist/svetlana-norel/