English for Speakers of Other. LANGUAGES (ESOL) ESOL is supported within Edinburgh College in two separate curriculum areas - ESOL for international students and ESOL within the community. Our provision for ESOL for international learners works holistically with vocational curriculum areas to develop specialist skills in learners who need support in English to facilitate an equal opportunity to learn. The college also ‘trains the trainer’ with Panamanian and Chinese staff taught last year as trainers in-country. Our Community-based ESOL curriculum runs classes from Beginner to Higher level and targets individuals and groups who are often overcoming enormous barriers to learning and integration. Learners are often seeking asylum or UK Citizenship, and are often part of non-English speaking communities where they struggle to integrate with the wider community. Classes are held in community centres, libraries, community high schools and other venues that allow learners to study part- time during the days or in the evenings, meaning studies can be fitted around work and children's school times. Reading and writing workshops are run in addition to classes, and every week 85 classes are taught in the homes of learners who are unable to join a class at this time due to personal circumstances.
English for Speakers of Other. Languages (ESOL) Dundee and Angus College collaborates well with Community Planning Partnership partners to ensure ESOL provision delivered in College and the community meets the needs of the Dundee and Angus region. The College works with partners to determine the level of demand, agree the delivery plan and identify further developments for the ESOL provision. In line with changes to funding, credit guidance and Scottish Government Guidance during 2019, the College has worked in close partnership with our local authorities to create an innovative formal joint delivery plan and agreement for regional ESOL provision. The College continues to be represented at national level on the ESOL Strategic Implementation Group.
English for Speakers of Other. Languages (ESOL) ESOL programmes continue to be an area of high demand in the region. In 2014-15, there were 7,525 National Insurance Number (NINo) registrations to overseas migrants in North East Scotland, up from 6,250 in the previous year, 75% of the NINo registrations being in Aberdeen City and to overseas migrants in the 18-34 age range. Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire accounted for 17% of all NINo registrations to overseas migrants in Scotland during 2014-15. However, according to the data published by the Department of Work and Pensions in August 2016, there was a drop in NINos in the year to June 2016. This may partly be attributed to a wait-and-see approach in the run up to the EU referendum. Despite this fall and the following levelling of the NINos and the continuing effects of the global economic crisis and low oil and gas prices, which have affected the oil and gas industry and the supporting industries, the high demand for ESOL continued in the region throughout 2016. This may be explained in part due to Aberdeen continuing to be one of the areas of the UK where NINo registration levels remain high. The College experienced a 15% increase in the applications for full- time ESOL provision at Aberdeen City Campus in AY 2015-16 and this level of demand was again experienced for AY 2016-17. The College is anticipating demand for full-time ESOL provision to remain the same in AY 2017-18, however the College is aware that the Brexit process and Government policies on Syrian refugees may impact on future levels immigration to the UK and in turn the demand for the ESOL courses from AY 2018-19. Comprehensive ESOL provision is crucial for progression to employment, further studies and integration for many of the region’s migrants. The number of learners completed ESOL courses at the College and progressing to College courses and higher education has been consistently high for the last 3 years. The College predicts that nearly 70% of its ESOL students will to progress to courses in Creative Industries, Computing and Business Enterprise in the coming academic years. Business Plus ESOL and Travel & Tourism Plus ESOL courses continue to be popular, and at the time of writing the College’s ESOL Team are exploring opportunities to introduce new Plus ESOL courses in areas where there is an increased interest. The College continues to provide comprehensive information and support to potential ESOL students through targeted sessions providing information on prog...
