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More than a Language
Launch of the Final Report of the NIACE Committee of Inquiry into English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL)
| Date: | Tuesday 3 October 2006 |
| Venue: | Abbey Community Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU |
| Ref: | C13-75/10/06 |
[Background & Aims] [Audience] [Programme]
Background & Aims
This event will launch the final report of the NIACE Committee of inquiry into English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL). This independent committee is supported by NIACE and chaired by Derek Grover CB. There has been keen interest in the Inquiry, and the Findings, from the field of ESOL and the Government. This is a priority area for Government and we are delighted that Bill Rammell, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, has agreed to give the keynote address at the conference.
ESOL is one of the biggest challenges faced by the learning and skills sector in England. The pattern of demand has changed significantly over the last few years. Increasingly the labour market is using migrant workers and there are significant and increasing demands for learning English from workers travelling to England from Eastern European countries. This changing pattern of demand raises important questions about the financing of ESOL provision; should some individuals or their employers be asked to pay towards the costs of their tuition, when currently ESOL is free to all? ESOL is also critical to current government policies on citizenship. What are the implications of this for provision and pedagogy?
There is a shortage of teachers and many current teachers are unqualified. Most provision is part-time and most tutors part-time, and there are limited career opportunities for ESOL tutors. There are long waiting lists of students, particularly in London. The quality of ESOL is regarded by Ofsted and ALI as poor in many places, and there are fierce debates among practitioners about the most effective infrastructure for ESOL.
The committee was established to consider these major challenges with the following remit:
 | To review existing evidence on the provision for people with ESOL needs in England, with particular emphasis on quality and quantity of provision, staffing, pedagogy and purposes. |
| To review definitions of ESOL, evidence of need, it’s extent and the changing nature of demand for ESOL. |
| To identify what could be done to improve ESOL provision, including quality of management and leadership, quality of teaching, learning and achievement; assessment; recruitment of staff; qualifications of specialist and vocational staff; funding and resourcing. |
| To examine ESOL in its wider context, including its relationship to citizenship, migration, settlement, employment and social justice and equality issues, and the implications of these relationships for provision, funding and pedagogy. |
| To make realistic recommendations to policy makers, funders, inspectorates, providers and practitioners. |
The committee has focused on 5 areas:
| definition, purpose and need for ESOL |
| leadership and management; |
| quality of teaching, learning and support; |
| teacher training; and funding. |
Evidence has been gathered from a wide range of sources that includes learners, practitioners, managers, inspectorates, policymakers, funders and research bodies. An interim report will be produced for consultation to ensure that the final report to be published in October addresses all the pertinent issues and makes relevant and achievable recommendations.
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Audience
This conference will be relevant to staff from:
| Local Learning and Skills Councils |
| Teacher Training agencies and providers |
| Trade Union Congress |
| Voluntary organisations working with refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers |
| Prison and National Probation Service education managers and tutors |
| Jobcentre plus, UFI, Learndirect, IAG partnerships and services |
| ALI and Ofsted inspectors |
| Awarding bodies |
| Sector Skills Councils |
| Regional planning agencies. |
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Programme
| 13:00 | Arrival, Registration and Lunch |
| Chair: Peter Lavender, Director of Research, Development and Information, NIACE | |
| 14:00 | Welcome and Introduction Alan Tuckett, Director, NIACE |
| 14:10 | Main findings and conclusions Derek Grover CB, Committee Chair |
| 14:35 | The experience of Learners |
| 14:50 | Questions to Speakers |
| 15:05 | Round Table Discussions What next and what will I do? Priorities for Action Dr. Jane Ward, Regional Development Officer - North West Region, NIACE |
| 16:00 | Ministerial Address Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education |
| 16:15 | Questions to the Minister |
| 16:35 | What next? Closing Remarks Dr. Peter Lavender, Director of Research, Development and Information, NIACE |
| 17:00 | Close of Conference (Tea/Coffee available) |
This programme is correct at the time of going to press. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend. Delegates will have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.
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