Learning the language

Last week, a Big Issue North vendor accomplished a significant personal milestone. Vasile, who sells the magazine in York, learned how to write his name in English.

As a Romanian national and Roma person, Vasile did not receive any formal education in Romania or the UK and, therefore, never learned to read or write. Vasile speaks some colloquial English, mostly learned from his daily interactions with his Big Issue customers alongside Romani and Romanian which he is fluent in. He also speaks Spanish, French and German! With the support of Restore York and our Leeds Big Issue North Team, Vasile is making incredible progress. 

Vasile is not alone. Several of our vendors cannot read or write, and a larger number struggle with their English language skills. Around 64 per cent of our vendors do not speak English as their first language. In the last two decades, the demography of our vendors has changed dramatically. Today, approximately 66 per cent are Romanian, and an additional 6 per cent have nationalities including Polish, Slovakian, Czech, Latvian, and Italian. 

Several of our vendors cannot read or write, and a larger number struggle with their English language skills.

Nearly all our non-British vendors say that working to sell The Big Issue helps improve their English language skills. Most of their language development occurs during day-to-day interactions with customers and people in their local community. The value of these regular, conversational interactions is paramount to our vendors, especially to those who have ambitions to move on from selling the magazine. 

“I want a different job. I would do anything really,” says Costica, a vendor based in Crosby. “I was 19 when I came to England, and I could not speak any English when I arrived here. I learnt English by selling the magazine and talking to my customers. My English is okay, but I would like to learn more. Sometimes when people speak quickly, I do not understand them. I can’t read or write in English, so I would like to learn that too.” 

Like Costica, 42 per cent of our non-British vendors have identified language and English literacy as one of the main barriers they face when looking for jobs elsewhere. Our vendors often cite a range of jobs that they would like to move on to, including cleaning, warehouse or factory work, delivery, painting and decorating, and shop or retail work. When possible, our vendors are given additional support to make positive changes. For some, this includes accessing English language courses, often funded through The Big Issue North Trust. 

42 per cent of our non-British vendors have identified language and English literacy as one of the main barriers they face when looking for jobs elsewhere.

Stefan, who sells the magazine in Piccadilly, attended ESOL classes twice a week: “I enjoy [the classes] very much. I have been learning English since I came to England seven years ago. I can speak a lot of English, but sometimes I do not understand people when they speak to me, especially if they talk quickly. But when I do not understand, I have a dictionary, and I ask people to help me.” 

The benefits of the social interactions are not limited to improving language skills. Our vendors often say that selling the magazine improves their self-confidence as well – something that can be eroded by limited or negative experiences with the public. 

“If someone was swearing at me, I didn’t know. I used to say ‘thank you’ to them,” explains Adina, a vendor based in Poulton-de-Flyde, “But I have become a different person selling Big Issue North. When I sell the magazine, I have some customers who explain things to me and teach me the right way to say things.” 

Each week, around 300 people sell The Big Issue, visiting our regional offices to buy the magazine for £2 before selling it on the streets for £4. All our vendors are hardworking people who want to create better lives for themselves and their families. They sell The Big Issue to earn an income; something they often struggle to do via other means due to language barriers, lack of formal qualifications and discrimination. 

If you are buying the magazine or just passing by, even a quick hello or short conversation can make all the difference to our vendors’ lives. With your help, we can ensure that all our vendors can reach their full potential.