Citizenship materials for ESOL learners

This pack of learning materials was published to help ESOL teachers develop learners' knowledge of life in the UK, help them become more active citizens and to support applications for citizenship and settlement.

The pack was written in consultation with a very wide range of ESOL teachers and learners who were involved in every stage of the project. A draft pack of the learning materials was piloted from October 2004 with eighteen ESOL providers. The teachers' feedback was overwhelming positive.

One of the NIACE consultants reported: "I've observed some lessons where the materials have generated considerable interest and discussion...".

"It has been very useful and helpful and I would recommend it to other students."
Student from Tower Hamlets College

Working with the ESOL teachers in the pilot organisations, NIACE and LLU+ selected further materials to add to the pack and improved the format. From January 2005, the draft Citizenship materials for ESOL learners pack was launched nationwide. The pack was introduced to ESOL teachers at familiarisation workshops, across England and in Glasgow. There was further consultation with ESOL teachers at these workshops. The feedback was positive from the workshops. Delegates commented on the "excellent materials" and said the Citizenship materials pack was very professionally produced.

The pilot project ended with a dissemination event in London in May 2005 with Sir Bernard Crick as the guest speaker. At the event, the ESOL providers and learners showcased their work in a range of workshops.

From October 2005, further familiarisation workshops were held in England and two in Wales. Two types of workshops were available: a half-day workshop for ESOL managers and a full day workshop for ESOL teachers. In all, nearly 2,000 ESOL teachers were trained to use the learning materials. 88% of the delegates said their assessment of the workshops was "very satisfied" and 97% of the delegates were "very satisfied" with the materials.

A further four workshops took place in Scotland in February 2006 and two workshops were held in Northern Ireland in September 2006.

Copies of the original pack and the 2010 update, are now available from the Citizenship materials for ESOL learners pack website. The website www.esolcitizenship.org.uk allows ESOL teachers to download the Citizenship materials for ESOL learners pack in Word or pdf.

ESOL Teachers.

To help ESOL teachers develop learners' knowledge of life in the UK, help them become more active citizens and to support applications for citizenship and settlement.

Chris Taylor
chris.taylor@niace.org.uk