An Open University student who spends every Sunday night prepping for English lessons she will give to other students from around the world has said she finds that “light-bulb moment” the most rewarding.

Melissa Perkins, 41, from Teddington, has been teaching English to refugees and asylum seekers on behalf of Refugee Action Kingston for three years.

Her students come from all walks of life including from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran and Iraq to Somalia, Ecuador, Zimbabwe and North Korea.

She became inspired after seeing English taught in Brazilian favelas when she went travelling around Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America for six months in 2009.

Miss Perkins said: “I just love it. You get more out of it than you put in. It would be great if more people took up volunteering.

"They are so grateful.

"They want to be there and they want to learn. English is so helpful to them and it opens doors for them.

"Many of them have backgrounds that are professional careers and by not being able to speak English they can’t get a job at the same level.

"We do get them to speak and have conversations – that’s the best part, getting them out of their shells.”

Every Monday Miss Perkins teaches the students reading, grammar, comprehension, listening and conversation skills at the Cambridge Road estate in Kingston for two hours.

She said: “When you get a lesson plan and see it all come together on the Monday that’s the best.

"Sometimes you explain something again and again and then you see the moment it clicks. You see that light bulb moment and that’s the most rewarding.

“With the women it’s noticeable – learning English really gives them that confidence.”

She said some of her past students still came along to the class just to feel part of a group, build on their skills and socialise.

The teacher, who is studying for her own degree in psychology and philosophy, said: “My mum came down from Canada and I took her in and got her to do a talk on Canada with pictures, comprehension and then we got some of the students to do the same.

“I was in absolute floods of tears because it was so humbling to listen to them.”

Fellow English teacher Tom Stubbs said: “Melissa is incredibly enthusiastic – one of the best teachers I have ever come across – and she is studying for her own degree.”

l Do you know an unsung hero? Call the newsdesk on 020 8744 4723 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk.