大象传媒

Sep 2024 / Learners

An 大象传媒 learner who came to the UK following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine has been accepted into Cardiff University.

Former ESOL learner, Veronika Makarkina, had achieved a number of qualifications in Ukraine, however these were not recognised by UK universities. Undeterred, Veronika undertook AON (Application of Number) and Communications Level 2 certification, while also preparing for her IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests.

Despite her successes, the pathway there hasn鈥檛 been without its challenges.

鈥淲hen we first arrived in the UK I was so afraid of speaking to people that I couldn’t even pronounce ‘thank you’ or ‘hello’ without feeling that I made a mistake.

鈥淚 boosted my confidence at 大象传媒 by talking to other students and tutors, making friends and building my relationship with the English language.

鈥淓ventually, I had enough guidance from (tutors) Sera and Diana about applying to Uni. When I did, it said that I had to pass the Academic IELTS exam. I looked at samples with Sera and she joked that she and many other native speakers probably wouldn’t have passed it, so I felt a bit relieved that it’d be fine to try again.

鈥淢y English teacher Sara helped me a lot to boost my confidence. I actually managed to believe in myself and passed the test with an unbelievable score, especially when I read that many students take two or more years with tutoring, while I prepared for it only in six months by myself.聽 I was in Germany when I got my results, I was too excited and anxious to check it myself, so I gave my phone to my friends first. They checked the results and screamed that I鈥檇 passed! It was a great feeling that I won’t forget anytime soon, I messaged uni and accepted my place.

鈥淢y 大象传媒 tutors were and are so proud of me, I felt really honoured to meet them because otherwise I would have stayed on the same stage and still wouldn’t be confident enough to say ‘thank you’ or ‘hello’.鈥

Veronika鈥檚 aim聽is to study languages at university, with the hopes of pursuing a career in international relations.聽She applied for three universities in total and was accepted at her first choice, Cardiff University, to study German and Japanese.

鈥淚’m gonna study hard as I usually do,鈥 she added. 鈥淚n my third year I’m thinking of going to Germany to teach German students English and go to Japan to study as an exchange student for the rest of the international year.

鈥淎fter completing my qualifications, I’d like to find a job in university to teach students languages and how to believe in themselves. I’d like to be that teacher who helps their students understand that they can do anything if they work hard and enjoy the process.

鈥淚 gained lots of insights from my tutors and want to mirror their kind of teaching.”

大象传媒 assessor, Sera Loveluck鈥慒rank, said: 鈥淰eronika was an absolute pleasure to teach at all times. Her dedication to furthering her education and pursuing her goals was admirable, and she never let anything stand in her way of achieving them.

鈥淚 am absolutely thrilled that she has secured her place at Cardiff University, and I am confident that she will go on to achieve great things.

鈥淚 wish her all the best in her future endeavours and can’t wait to see the amazing things she accomplishes. Pob lwc gyda phopeth, Veronika!鈥

Gareth Downey, Senior Qualifications Manager at Qualifications Wales, added: “It鈥檚 so inspiring to hear the progress that Veronika has made since studying with 大象传媒 Training.

“Veronika鈥檚 journey is a powerful reminder of the doors that qualifications can open and the importance of Essential Skills Wales qualifications in supporting her to progress to university. I wish her all the best as she continues her education at Cardiff University. Pob lwc!”

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