‘Great ideas to use with ESOL learners in our centre’
Chris Lucas, Bury Tuition Centre.
In the UK there are approximately 1.6 million ESOL learners in maintained schools. There is an increased demand for English language learning provision, within a more diverse society. It has never been more important for schools and teachers to increase their awareness of religious and cultural issues relating to ESOL learners.
This training is for teachers, support staff and other workers, in both formal and informal settings, with children and adults. It will help us better understand the needs of ESOL learners, to provide the best support possible to ensure EAL learners can access the curriculum and make great progress.
For the context of English Language learners in the United Kingdom these are the notable and significant groups
Working with ESOL groups, many already experiencing existing trauma issues.
INSET Outline
Teaching strategies For ESOL Learners
A significant element of this course is a review of the lexical, grammatical and phonological variations between English and other non-Indo-European languages.
- Review of the quality of existing English Language providers, based on recent case studies and inspections.
- Successful strategies for both children and adults.
- The dos and don’ts in teaching, learning and assessment.
- Successful case studies from the practice of FE, local authority and third sector providers
Engaging ESOL learners through the use of IT
Using sources from the Internet to develop written and speaking language skills
Retention strategies
Integration – the majority of participants from all types of provision said a main purpose of ESOL was to support integration into British society for two main groups:
- people newly arrived in the UK (such as economic migrants, women on spousal visas and refugees/asylum seekers);
- those who have resided in England for some time who have no or low-level English language skills.
Progression routes for ESOL Learners
How ESOL Leaners may develop into other areas of learning, including accreditation from a number of awarding bodies. Learners’ motivations and perceptions of access and progression to ESOL learning
• Improving employment prospects (either to gain a first job or progress a career);
• Enabling civic engagement and integration (to feel part of and connected to wider society);
• Developing life skills to enable engagement in everyday life activities (visiting the doctors, helping children with school work, etc.); and
• Accessing services and benefits (classes can be a Jobcentre Plus requirement).
