About 60 Ezidi students from two classes were awarded English Studies Certificate I in a brief ceremony and morning tea conducted at the Armidale TAFE Campus on Tuesday morning.
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The students represented only a portion of the more than 220 students enrolled in the course.
Armidale TAFE spokesman Heath Rogers said the students had done well in their studies.
"These classes have always been here, the AMEP, or the Adult Migrant English Program, has been run here for a number of years," Mr Rogers said
"The increase in the different refugee settlement groups that are coming has increased our class numbers.
The course comprises three levels of study and the TAFE is expecting another 150 students before June.
Mr Marshall was there to present some graduation certificates for the various stages of the program, for beginners and Stage 1 students.
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"And there will be another presentation ceremony later this year with the next wave of students as they complete their proficency
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He said he would defy anybody to meet the Ezidis in an environment such as the TAFE and not feel strong empathy.
"A lot of the people, regardless of age have not set foot in the classroom or a school until they arrived in Armidale," he said.
"It is an incredibly tough challenge for them to learn English, but they're all working incredibly hard. Some have amazing conversational English after only 12 months, so this is a real success.
"I have really been looking forward to today. I just love the Yazidis people, they are just so kind and and so happy to be here."
