Here at Salford Community Upskilling, we believe that the best way to learn a language is to live it. Our mission has always been to support our local community—particularly asylum seekers and refugees—by providing the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to integrate beautifully into society. From ICT courses and employability skills to interpreting and language provision, we are dedicated to helping our community thrive.

But sometimes, the most powerful learning happens outside the traditional classroom. It happens in the kitchen!

Last Friday, we hosted a truly brilliant session at our English Learning Cafe in the Holm Court Community Room. Embracing our “Interactive English” approach, we decided to put away the textbooks for the morning and focus on learning whilst cooking.

The menu for the day? A hearty, comforting dish of pasta and meatballs.

As the onions were chopped and the sauce simmered away on the hob, the room was filled with much more than just the delicious aroma of our cooking. It was filled with lively conversation, laughter, and a wonderful exchange of cultures. The session was a perfect example of bringing different perspectives and different lived experiences together around a shared goal. Participants practised their conversational English in a relaxed, natural environment, asking for ingredients, sharing cooking tips, and simply chatting about their lives.

It is exactly this kind of informal, hands-on activity that breaks down barriers and builds genuine confidence. When we cook together, we aren’t just making a meal; we are building a supportive, integrated community.

A massive thank you goes out to Salford ESOL for their fantastic support and involvement. The energy in the room was a testament to what we can achieve when we work together!

If you or someone you know would benefit from our Interactive English sessions—whether that is learning whilst cooking, reading, or walking—we would love to welcome you.