Free English Classes for workers in the sex industry.

• central London
• safe and confidential space
• open to all workers in the sex industry
• communicate better at work and with clients
• two hour lessons once per week

x:talk classes are organised by sex workers in the sex industry

for more information and the address of the classes
telephone: 0791 470 3372
email: xtalk.classes@googlemail.com
wesbite: www.xtalkproject.net

Sex work is what we do as our jobs, but as sex workers and migrants we are made illegal and stigmatised. Discriminatory laws, racism, unsafe workplaces and stigma result in abuse and lack of control over our work and lives. Being able to speak some English is an important step in asserting our needs, desires and rights. It means we can talk with clients, health services and our bosses. Through speaking a common language we are better able to come together, organise and empower each other.

Through the development of our language skills and confidence building, our aim is to promote the improvement of working conditions in sex work, as well as the right to change work and not to be forced to stay with the same employer.

As workers in the sex industry we are often denied a voice, we areconsidered only passive victims, we are taught to be ashamed of our work, we are made invisible by discriminatory laws that illegalise our work and us, and we are spoken for and about but rarely are we allowed to speak for ourselves. As migrants even more so. Sometimes our voices are not heard even amongst each other because we don’t speak the same languages. We have plenty to communicate about – which is why we are involved in x:talk.

x:talk is about getting our voices heard – with our clients, with our bosses and with each other.

about the project:
The first course started in May 2007. Each course runs for three months, with a two-hour class held once per week. The curriculum for the course is focused around the language needs of people who sell sex and the teachers have experience and understanding of the sex industry.

want to get involved?
The x:talk project is organised by a network of sex workers, sex workers rights’, migrant rights, and feminist activists. The project is open for people to get involved in – we have regular meetings, email discussion groups and are always looking for new ways to publicise the project.