I came to the UK from Poland to work as a Comenius Assistant at Stimpson Avenue Primary School in Northampton. This school draws pupils from many different ethnic minorities. For over 40 per cent of them, English is not their mother tongue. The second largest group of immigrants (over 20 children) are from Poland, the majority of whom do not speak English well, or even at all.

While our young learners are still picking up English I translate where necessary, which allows them to have some input to the lesson. As a result, teachers have finally been able to get to know the children’s real abilities. It has turned out that in most of the cases the only obstacle to achieving good results in school was the language! I also help to solve all of the little problems that arise, like lost property or library books, and have set up three after-school clubs.

Most of the Polish-speaking parents, as recent immigrants, have not acquired much English yet, so they find it difficult to fully participate in the life of the school, and many emphasised the fact that, because of the language barrier, they were unable to help their children with homework or support their education. As a bilingual assistant I was happy to help them to overcome this.

“I have found Joanna’s input invaluable. Without her help I wouldn’t be able to support my Polish parents – especially one who needed help with her child’s behaviour at school and at home,” says Mrs Wilson from Reception. “As headteacher of the school, I cannot imagine school without Joanna – she is a positive asset for pupils, staff and parents,” adds Mrs McBrearty.

Over the next month we are going to hold ‘Polish Days’, teaching some Polish to pupils and staff, and we will set up a display, present samples of cuisine, and teach some dances or songs. We are planning to involve the parents of our Polish pupils in the preparations. This will give them a chance to have some positive input into the life of the school.

All in all, I am having a great time here at Stimpson Avenue. I am picking up different teaching strategies as well as becoming familiar with the English education system. It has been an extremely rewarding experience – knowing that I have been able to help both the Polish pupils and their parents integrate more readily into the life of the school.

Comenius Assistants are intending or trainee teachers from any of 30 other European countries. They enhance the European cultural dimension across the curriculum, and offer classes in their native languages.

For more information, see www.britishcouncil.org/comeniusassistants