AN Ilminster teenager who could not speak English three years ago has landed a business apprenticeship.

Sumona Haque, 17, arrived in England in 2012 from Bangladesh to settle into her new Ilminster home.

She could not speak any English, but has since strived to gain ten GCSEs at grade AC at Wadham School.

Following that she has completed a traineeship at Richard Huish College and secured an apprenticeship, all while helping to bring up her younger brothers and sister.

After finishing school she heard nothing back from the 15 apprenticeships she applied for, but after speaking with the Taunton college she decided a traineeship could be just the stepping stone she needed to get noticed.

Sumona said: “Now I’m confident in myself. When I started I didn’t want to talk much.

“My tutor taught me how to speak up and I’ve really learnt about my weaknesses.

“I now think ‘I can’ and it has changed me. I’ve realised the skills I already have and I speak four languages – English, Bangladeshi, Hindi and Urdu.

The former Wadham student is now on a Business and Administration Apprenticeship with Blackbrook Surgery in Taunton with a view to becoming a medical secretary.

Her tutor said: “Sumona completed her traineeship programme in an exemplary manner.

“She has been an outstanding pupil, diligent, hard-working and conscientious, and her self-esteem has grown weekly.

“She’s now an extremely confident young lady. It’s extraordinary that she couldn’t speak a word of English three years ago.”