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- Breaking through the language barrier
- ESOL in the post-compulsory learning and skills sector an evaluation
- Skills for Life in colleges: one year on
- Colleges challenged to break the language barrier
- Literacy, numeracy and English for speakers of other languages: a survey of current practice in post-16 and adult provision
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Breaking through the language barrier: Ofsted report evaluates the quality of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
03 Oct 2008
A new report shows inadequate ESOL in colleges is now rare. ESOL in the post-compulsory learning and skills sector: an evaluation, finds the number of colleges providing ESOL that is less than satisfactory has fallen to one in sixteen, down from one in five in the period from 2001-2005.
On the whole, students spoke positively about the opportunity to learn English, and found their new skills extremely helpful in coping with daily life. However, only around half the ESOL provided by colleges and a fifth by adult and community learning providers is found to be good or outstanding.
Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said:
“Good English speaking skills are critical to millions of people, and open up a world of opportunities and benefits to learners, such as developing skills for the workplace and integrating further with the community.
“Whilst it’s encouraging to see a general picture of improvement, it is time that standards were raised so that the overwhelming majority of English for Speakers of Other Languages provision is good or better. We must equip learners with the very best English skills to help them have the confidence to make a positive contribution to the community.”
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