Head of ESOL at Oldham College Reflects on Marzia’s Journey from Asylum Seeker to Published Author
When Marzia Babakarkhail enrolled in Oldham College's ESOL program (English for Speakers of Other Languages) she was determined to learn the language and build a future in the UK after escaping persecution by the Taliban in Afghanistan. One of the people who witnessed that journey from its earliest days was Nerissa Roberts, Head of Faculty for ESOL at Oldham College. Nerissa leads a diverse team delivering English-language education to adult and young learners and has made supporting refugees and people seeking asylum an important part of her work. She has also been a strong advocate for inclusive, trauma-informed ESOL education. On June 17, 2026, Ms. Roberts and the entire Oldham College community welcomed Marzia back to campus for a special event including a book talk and signing. Below is Ms. Roberts speech from that event, reprinted here with her permission.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the launch of Marzia Babakarkhail’s life story. It is a real privilege to stand here this afternoon and share in this special occasion. As I was thinking about what I wanted to say today, my mind immediately went back to the first day Marzia joined our ESOL programme at Oldham College. Marzia started her journey with us as an Entry 1 learner. She was first taught by Mr. Bob before joining my class, and from the very beginning there was something remarkable about her. She was determined.
Every day, Marzia would complete her work and then ask for more. She always wanted extra activities, extra practice, and extra opportunities to learn. Her determination to improve her English was extraordinary. She never gave up, never lost sight of her goal and never stopped believing that education could help her build a new future.
It has been an absolute privilege, both personally and professionally, to watch Marzia’s journey unfold.
As a college, we have seen her progress through the ESOL levels, grow in confidence, develop her voice, and move into employment. Along the way she has inspired learners, staff, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. Today, we are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved.
Marzia’s story reminds us that learning English is about so much more than grammar and vocabulary. It is about confidence. It is about independence. It is about creating opportunities and opening doors that once seemed closed. One of the most powerful parts of Marzia’s book is the way she describes what learning English meant to her personally. I would like to share a short extract.
"With a simple foundation in place, I signed up for classes at Oldham College at the age of forty-five. The interaction with instructors and classmates furthered my speech and opened new doors. Every single word I learned felt like oxygen. Just as oxygen enters our lungs and gives our cells the ability to survive, each word in English became like a deep, fresh breath."
When I read those words, I think back to the Marzia who sat in our classrooms, asking for extra work every day and embracing every opportunity to learn. We could all see her determination, but none of us could have imagined just how far that determination would take her. This book tells an extraordinary story of resilience, courage, and hope. It is a story of overcoming adversity, rebuilding a life and continuing to stand up for justice and equality. And it feels especially fitting that we are celebrating this today during Refugee Week, where this year’s theme is Courage. Because if there is one word that captures Marzia’s journey, it is courage.
The courage to leave behind everything she knew. The courage to rebuild her life in a new country. The courage to find her voice again through learning English. And the courage to continue fighting for justice and equality, even after everything she has endured. Most importantly, it is Marzia’s story, told in her own voice.
On behalf of everyone at Oldham College, I would like to congratulate Marzia on this wonderful achievement and thank her for allowing us to be part of her journey. Marzia, we are incredibly proud of you. From your first days in ESOL, through every level of learning, and into the remarkable life and career you have built, you have shown what can be achieved through courage, perseverance, and determination. We cannot wait for others to read your story and be inspired by it, just as we have been. Please join me in congratulating Marzia Babakarkhail on the publication of her book.
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