ESOL With a Purpose

i-SE were contracted from September 2005 until 31st January 2007,  by Birmingham and Solihull LSC to address the issues identified in ASPIRE funded research looking at local issues for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and the ‘National context for ESOL Delivery for Asylum Seekers undertaken in Action 1 of Aspire.  The aim was to improve the quality and accessibility of ESOL being delivered to asylum seekers.

Activity

• Train 10 teachers to develop awareness of language influences on use of English by new arrivals.
• Train ESOL tutors to develop the quality assurance (Pre-inspection) of ESOL delivery.
• Provide awareness raising and support to ling IAG staff to asylum seeker organisations.
• Hold 2 Master Classes on National Good Practice and new initiatives in ESOL that could support asylum seekers for example, Citizen Skills website and CD ROM, the ASSEST UK programme, Equal ASSET and ESOL pathfinders.
• Develop 8 Community Champions with Refugee Community Organisations (RCO’s) to signpost to ESOL and liaise with mainstream providers (customising Level 2)
• Provide Training Needs Analysis, training delivery and support with 8 ESOL Protocol agency staff.
• Deliver  2 Master Classes for 8 ESOL teachers – programme dependant upon needs analysis e.g. skills and learning approaches, assessment, diagnostics, leaning delivery, linguistics, group management, pace and curriculum.
• Establish an ESOL and Asylum Seekers Network to support: information exchange, quality, learners who move between providers and professional development.
• Evaluate and disseminate findings on the above activities to the Development Partnership
  

Feedback

Feedback from the training was extremely positive.  Comments included “very well structured and delivered”,” It was a great opportunity to share ideas”, “the course has helped me to include a variety of enrichment activities in my course and on the project”, “I can now start to observe community teachers and improve departmental development”, “I am better prepared to offer advice/assistance”, I can train other trainers using the materials from today’s session”, exceeded my expectations etc.  Over 50 individuals attended these courses.

Find out more by downloading the full report (PDF file)