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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. For more information on the NIACE ESOL Inquiry: www.niace.org.uk To contact Judy Gawn: judith.gawn@niace.org.uk Tel: 020 7700 8226 Mob: 07774 005 096