Shakespeare Play by Refugee Students in West Yorkshire
A powerful Shakespeare play by refugee students is set to take the stage at Bradford College, where teenagers seeking asylum are using the Bard’s timeless drama The Tempest to master English. These learners, many of whom have been studying the language for less than a year, are not simply reciting lines — they’re transforming Shakespeare’s work into a bridge between cultures and a tool for communication.
Refugee Students Learn English Through Shakespeare Play
The unique initiative — a Shakespeare play by refugee students — is part of an ongoing collaboration between Bradford College and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). For the past seven years, this partnership has brought Shakespeare’s works into the classroom for students learning English as a second language (ESOL). Bradford College stands out as the only institution in the UK where nearly all ESOL students participate in this program, making it a pioneering effort in education.
ESOL teacher Esther Wilkey emphasizes that the Shakespeare play by refugee students is far more than just a performance. “It’s about understanding where language comes from,” she explains. “We don’t just teach students what Shakespeare says, we explore how to interpret and use language. It’s incredibly empowering for students who are new to English.”
How a Shakespeare Play by Refugee Students Brings Language and Literature to Life
Rather than simply translating Shakespeare line by line, the approach focuses on interpretation through context. Wilkey recalls classroom moments where students collaboratively decipher lines of Elizabethan English: “I’ll ask, ‘What do you think that means?’ If they don’t know, I’ll say, ‘Neither do I, let’s figure it out together.’ That process mirrors real-life language acquisition and boosts their confidence.”
This method helps bridge the gap between Shakespearean vocabulary and the language skills needed to excel in contemporary English courses, such as GCSE English.
Refugee Stories Mirror Shakespeare’s Narrative
The Tempest, a story of shipwrecked individuals encountering strange new lands and forming unexpected alliances, strongly resonates with the students. Many of them, having fled conflict or hardship in their home countries, identify with the play’s themes of displacement, resilience, and transformation.
Student Daniel Ghadiri candidly reflects, “To be honest, at first Shakespeare was boring for me. I didn’t understand why we were studying this. But once we started rehearsing, it became meaningful. If I return to Bradford College next year, I definitely want to do Shakespeare again.”
Fostering Peace, Unity, and Collaboration
One of the most inspiring elements of this initiative is its impact on community building. With over 20 nationalities represented among the 40 students participating in the Shakespeare play, their collaboration stands as a powerful symbol of unity. As Ms. Wilkey notes, “Some of these countries are at war with each other, yet here we have peace in our department.”
The process of preparing for the play cultivates not only language proficiency but also teamwork and mutual respect. Students like Habiba Syedi share how the experience goes beyond the classroom: “It improves everything—speaking skills, friendships, teamwork.”
Personal Growth Through Character Exploration
Performing Shakespeare allows students to explore and express their identities through the characters they portray. Abdurrakhman Korzhavin says, “I enjoy it because I can show my vision of the character to everyone. And the teamwork—it’s really helpful.”
This type of character exploration not only improves their command of English but also allows students to gain confidence and take ownership of their learning journey.
Celebrating Success and Innovation
The success of Bradford College’s Shakespeare initiative was recently recognized when it received the 2025 Association of Colleges’ Bell Foundation Excellence in ESOL Award. This national recognition highlights the innovative and inclusive nature of the program, which seamlessly combines the arts with academic achievement.
The upcoming performance coincides with Refugee Week, the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the resilience, creativity, and contributions of refugees. The event provides the perfect backdrop for this remarkable student-led performance of The Tempest, showing how the arts can bridge cultures and build futures.
Redefining the Role of Shakespeare in Modern Education
The use of Shakespeare’s works in ESOL programs marks a significant departure from traditional English language learning methods. It validates students’ experiences and invites them into the rich heritage of English literature, empowering them to claim ownership of the language they are learning.
Esther Wilkey believes this method holds broader implications: “This approach can be a model for other schools. Shakespeare doesn’t have to be intimidating. When we break it down together, it becomes a shared journey—not just into English, but into expression, empathy, and belonging.”
A Stage for Every Voice
The Shakespeare play by refugee students at Bradford College is more than just a school performance. It’s a vibrant, transformative educational experience that amplifies student voices and unites communities through language and art. It showcases how classic literature can speak to modern realities, and how English learning can be reimagined through creative, compassionate pedagogy.
As the curtain rises on The Tempest, the audience will witness not only Shakespeare’s world brought to life but the real-world journeys of students who are shaping new narratives—one line, one word, and one performance at a time.
