ESOL Northland learners bid manager Jenny Huddleston adieu

Jenny Huddleston, left, with English Language Partners New Zealand chief executive Nicola Sutton, enjoying the end of year party. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

A jittery Jenny Huddleston walked into English Language Partners Northland office as manager on her first day at work but breathed a huge sigh of relief after seeing learners from her previous job.

That was almost a decade ago.

After farewelling hundreds of learners from around the world, the septuagenarian from Whangarei was herself bid adieu by students at ESOL Northland's end of year party this week.

The 74-year-old - she painstakingly reminded this newspaper her 75th wasn't anytime before January when the new manager Megan Cochrane takes charge - looked back at past achievements and her retirement-cum-volunteer work in future.

She intends to volunteer for the Citizens Advice Bureau after finishing as manager of ESOL Northland next month.

"I've just being incredibly lucky," she said albeit with a tinge of regret.

After a stint as international liaison officer at NorthTec, a friend encouraged her to apply for the ESOL job.

"My first day they had classes when I walked in, slightly nervous but saw a few students from the polytech so felt welcomed," she recalled.

The centre has tutored thousands of migrants since it opened in 1978 and Mrs Huddleston said the amount of trust learners of English put in their tutors could not be imagined.

"You've got to have people skills, you've got to like them. These migrants, just because they can't speak English, doesn't mean they're not intelligent people."

The challenges going forward?

"Always the number of permanent residents wanting to learn English. A lot of them that come here are temporary migrants who have to get through the immigration process but they eventually get there," she said.

English Language Partners New Zealand chief executive Nicola Sutton, who also attended the party, paid tribute to Mrs Huddleston saying she had a good rapport with learners and tutors.

"She's an excellent manager and in the almost 10 years she's been here, the centre has grown and is offering more programmes than in the past.

"Jenny started the Work Talk programme last year which helps people develop their English skills to enable them to get into work. It's really important migrants feel welcome and are able to live and enjoy life," Mrs Sutton said.