Sutton College Learners Visit the Houses of Parliament

As part of an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class, tutor Drakshan Ahmed organised a trip to the Houses of Parliament. The learners had a guided tour of the historic buildings and attended a questions and answer session, allowing them to practice asking and answering questions in a structured environment.

Throughout the visit,  architectural designs and historic facts were pointed out and the learners heard all about the Gunpowder Plot, the Suffragette Movement and learned more about British History and politics.

Drakshan said’ It was highly beneficial for my ESOL Level 2 Speaking and Listening class, as it provided an immersive learning experience in a real-life setting…discussing the tour in the cafe afterwards helped them improve their speaking skills by summarizing information, expressing opinions, and debating key topics related to democracy and governance.’

The whole class enjoyed the special experience and have written accounts of their visit as a class exercise, some extracts from which can be seen below.

This visit was not only a chance to admire beautiful architecture but also a meaningful lesson on history, democracy, and the struggles and sacrifices behind the advancement of women’s rights. Thank you! (WW)

In addition, the guide told us the history of Parliament and I learnt two stories. One is the Gunpowder Plot and the other one is The Suffragette Movement. The Suffragette Movement was an important historic event in the UK because after the success of The Suffragette Movement, women, same as men, have the right to vote. After I heard this story, I understood more about why the right to vote is so important.
I think this tour is lovely and valuable, because it enhances my knowledge on the UK Parliament and I also enjoyed the time to talk to my teacher and classmates.(MS)

 I am truly grateful to my ESOL teacher, Ms Drakshan, for organizing this activity, as it broadened my horizons, deepened my understanding of British history and politics and enjoyed the magnificent art architecture. The tour was full of meaningful insights, but what made the day more special was the coffee time, reflection and discussion spent afterward with our teacher, Ms Drakshan and classmates. Teacher guided very well with patience and knowledge made this the most unforgettable moment of the entire day. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. (PL)

My classmates and I were lucky to have the opportunity to have a guided tour of the House of Parliament on Wednesday. It was a great experience as I have never been there before and I have only ever seen it on TV. I definitely would like to visit here again with my family in the future. Thank you very much for organising this trip. (YH)

Sutton College learners are offered a range of enrichment activities through their classes as well as a suite of free workshops and sessions throughout the year. For more information contact marketing@suttoncollege.ac.uk

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