Margaryta
Study Type: Adult and Community
Study Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Subject Studied: Community Learning
Margaryta is a 40‑year‑old learner originally from Ukraine, now balancing full‑time employment, family responsibilities, and study as she works toward becoming a qualified teacher in the UK.
Having previously taught in Ukraine and holding a degree in English, German, and Literature, she is an experienced educator. However, to enter UK teacher training, she must obtain GCSE Biology, alongside English and Maths equivalents.
This requirement prompted her to join Derby College’s adult GCSE Biology course—her first experience studying at the College.
While Margaryta is confident in reading, writing, digital skills, and group communication—skills strengthened through her teaching background—she still faces several barriers common among adult students.
Working full‑time and caring for her 10‑year‑old daughter creates time constraints, particularly on Wednesdays, her longest workday.
Although her husband provides childcare and support, she must carefully coordinate her study time. Occasional challenges also arise from navigating fatigue and language switching at home, where English, Russian, and Ukrainian are spoken.
Derby College’s hybrid model has been particularly beneficial, offering the flexibility to attend either face‑to‑face or online sessions depending on her schedule.
She feels consistently supported by her tutor, who responds promptly to questions and provides clear explanations. The College’s facilities, cost‑free resources, and accessible staff have helped her remain motivated and confident.
Margaryta rates the adult learning provision as excellent and credits the course with enabling her progression toward a UK teaching qualification.
Margaryta is confident she will pass her GCSE Biology so her next steps will be to check if she can get on the teacher training course using her Cambridge certificate in English.