17 Jun ESOL in West London: Supporting residents to access the English language skills
ESOL in West London: how can we support all residents to access the English language skills they need?
New research being published by West London Alliance (WLA) highlights the strain on English language skills teaching in West London, and sets out how partners including the Greater London Authority, local authorities and skills providers can work together to improve the system. The research will be formally launched on Monday 24 June, from 2pm, at Perceval House in Ealing – please email Matthew Toma if you would like to attend.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) education is a lifeline for many adults coming to West London from abroad, who rely on formal or informal provision to improve their English to enable them to participate in further education, training and employment. The research report, developed by Alexander Braddell Associates, draws on primary data analysis and stakeholder engagement to assess the current state of ESOL provision in West London and to highlight recommendations that could benefit residents and the economy.
Strikingly, the report highlights that ESOL providers in West London are working at capacity given available funding, engaging with an estimated 15-20,000 learners. Yet according to census data, 110,000 people in West London – 5% of all residents – have limited English language skills. This suggests that demand is likely to be far higher than supply: if we could create more opportunities to take up ESOL courses in West London, there is significant potential to boost economic activity, wellbeing and integration. The report details the challenges and opportunities that West London would need to navigate in order to do this, and underlines the need for a coherent West London strategy which brings partners together to improve and expand ESOL provision.
The WLA is convening partners and interested organisations for an event to launch the research formally, discuss the findings and seek to agree next steps. This is being held on Monday 24 June, from 2pm, at Perceval House in Ealing – please email Matthew Toma if you would like to attend.