ESOL in London

1
ESOL in London

• Judy Gawn
• Regional Development Officer (LLN)
• NIACE London

2

• NIACE Inquiry more than a language
• London Skills for Life Strategy
• Changes to National Funding Policy 07/08

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The NIACE ESOL Inquiry

• Wide-ranging national review of ESOL provision
• Report provides overview of the major challenges
  facing ESOL teaching
• Significant concerns
• 39 recommendations

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Government Response

• NIACE recommended everyone needs entitlement to
  free provision up to L1
• Particularly concerned about
• Government decision to charge fees for all ESOL
  learners not on benefit or income support
• Proposal to cut provision for asylum seekers

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LSC Guidance on Funding for ESOL

• Changes for national funding policy 07/08
• No automatic fee remission for ESOL
• New range of ESOL international qualifications
  not SfL, no uplift
• No LSC funding for asylum seekers 19
• Employers to bear the costs of English language
  training for overseas workers
• Non-approved SfL qualifications at L1/L2 will not
  be funded

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Concerns and issues

• NIACE will monitor perverse consequences
• Some concerns already raised
• Impact on learners?
• Impact on teachers?
• What will the new qualifications look like?
• Disparity of fees
• Qualification and CPD needs of teachers on EFL
  courses
• Impact on targets

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Regional Skills for Life Strategy

• Scope for more flexible, responsive provision to
  meet needs of ESOL learners
• Focus on employability/worklessness
• Important to keep social inclusion high on agenda
  
• Embedding ESOL in vocational subjects

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• For more information on the NIACE ESOL
• Inquiry www.niace.org.uk
• To contact Judy Gawn
• judith.gawn_at_niace.org.uk
• Tel [phone]
• Mob [phone]