A KOSOVAN refugee who learnt English at a Enfield college has hit out at drastic cuts planned for the courses.

Mirela Tata, 33, fled war in eastern Europe in 2000 to move to Enfield with her husband and two daughters, but spoke no English and found it difficult to start a new life in Britain.

But the Bush Hill Park resident enrolled on a community outreach language course at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and went on to become a hairdresser.

Now she is warning that the college's plan to cut back English for Speakers of Other Languages courses – known as ESOL courses – would lead to refugees like her having to rely on state benefits.

She said: “I couldn't speak one word of English when I arrived here – I couldn't even explain to the GP what was wrong when I was ill.

“If they don't have ESOL here then how are people like me going to learn to English – I can't believe they're going to do this.”

Union leaders at the college are currently balloting staff for strike action over wider job cuts – with the 64 full-time posts being cut including more than 50 per cent of ESOL teachers.

If members approve, the strike will begin on June 17.

Staff believe 20 to 30 jobs could go at the college's Tottenham campus in High Road, with six out of nine posts set to be cut at the Enfield campus in Hertford Road.

Figures from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills show that the college's £2.5 million budget surplus in 2009/10 was the largest in London, and staff want the principal to dip into these funds to stop job cuts.

Mrs Tata said: “The course I went on then allowed me to study to become a hairdresser – I couldn't have done it without the teachers here.

“One of my friends is on the course and won't be able to take her exams if the course is cut – people will just go back to living on the state, it makes no sense.”

One ESOL teacher, who did not wish to be named, said: “This will cut off a vital support network in the community – it drags people out of poverty and helps them get on in life.

“We are the only college in the area that offers anything like this.”

The college was unavailable for comment, but said in a statement last week: “The college is holding formal consultation meetings for staff who are at risk of redundancy.

“The college principal and chief executive, Paul Head, is also holding a series of staff meetings, as part of the consultation.

“The college is planning to make the savings that are required of us, while at the same time, achieving our key business objectives and priorities, to ensure the continuing success of our learners.”