This is a guest post by Issy Wakefield. If you would like to contribute a guest post to PurlandTraining.com on a topic that is of interest to teachers and students of English, please contact us here!
One in four people in the United Kingdom will experience a mental health issue at some point in their life, with 75% of all mental health issues being established by the age of 18. With that said, there are many ways to cope with mental health issues, and studying ESOL can be one of them. From workshops to classes and even discussion practices, studying ESOL can provide several positive mental health benefits to those who might need them.
A creative escape
For many who experience mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression, having an outlet is important to channel the feelings that come along with such conditions, and can help manage them through things like creative expression. Creativity is known to reduce stress, and can even help process trauma. Much like art or other creative hobbies, studying ESOL can become an outlet, or almost like an escape for getting a student’s mind off of anything that’s bothering them.
For those who need it, ESOL classes and workshops can become a creative outlet where they can study something they love and become passionate about it at the same time. This is because studying ESOL also gives students a chance to be creative on their own time. For instance, students can immerse themselves in finding the right study techniques for them, whether it be writing their own stories or reading their favorite material in English, making their own flashcards, or studying with a friend.
Meeting new people
Studying ESOL is a great way to meet new people, as well as a surprising way to benefit mental health. For example, meeting new people with similar interests can allow a student to make new friends, which can be especially beneficial for those who are experiencing social isolation, or other forms of bullying. Students who are bullied may face several consequences, such as headaches, feelings of fear, loneliness, and a low mood — and it’s far more common than one might think. In fact, 30% of young people are either a bully or are being bullied. Making new friends through ESOL studies can give students companionship and inclusion when they need it most, as the subject can connect students through activities such as workshops and class projects.
Continuing education
Continuing education through ESOL can not only give students a sense of accomplishment but can allow a student to grow personally by reaching a goal of self-betterment that can open doors both professionally and financially. Oftentimes, financial issues and low self-esteem fuel mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Achieving something like obtaining an ESOL certificate can act as a stepping stone to gaining employment opportunities, resolving financial problems, and working towards higher self-esteem and increased confidence.
Studying ESOL is a great way for students to gain the ability to communicate in a new language, though it can provide much more than that — especially for those who experience mental health issues like stress, anxiety, or depression. From being a creative outlet to being a resource for making new friends, there are many benefits involved.
Image: Sandra Seitamaa
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