Skills strategy lacking on ESOL Friday, November 19, 2010 - 11:58

NIACE is disappointed in the scant reference the government's new skills strategy makes to other important areas of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), especially the provision of ESOL for newly arrived spouses. From 29 November 2010, spouses will be required to pass an Entry 1 level English language assessment before they are granted a visa to enter the UK. A timely intervention of language provision as soon as spouses arrive could have significant cost benefits, as those learners are likely to learn ESOL faster and better.

At present, two Government departments are developing policy in relation to language and immigration. In BIS and also in the Home Office, there has been policy development in relation to ESOL and citizenship. 203,875 migrants were granted UK citizenship in 2009. 13% (26,503) of these new citizens took the ESOL citizenship course route by doing an Entry level ESOL Skills for Life qualification. If the Home Office introduces a two stage citizenship application process, this will double demand for ESOL provision, already overstretched. The learners who need ESOL for Indefinite Leave to Remain or UK citizenship should certainly be regarded as ‘settled communities' and therefore should be a priority group.

The Discretionary Learner Support Fund (DLSF) has been well used and provided a ‘safety net' for the ESOL learners most in need; but not necessarily claiming Job Seekers Allowance; women who are not allowed access to their husband's documentation, victims of domestic violence and so on. There would be widespread support for the continuation of the discretionary fund amongst ESOL providers.

A continuum of fees, rather than a full fee remission / 100% fees model would be equable. Whilst employers paying the full costs of ESOL provision seems reasonable, one could argue for a sliding scale or a range of fees, rather than 2 stark alternatives, to accommodate ESOL learners in very low paid employment or part-time work.

There were 39 recommendations made in the report of the Committee of Inquiry into ESOL, More than a Language (NIACE: 2006). Much has been achieved since 2006 but there are important issues which still have to be addressed. A summary of the report can be found at: