ESOL – a case for legal entitlement

What is ESOL? 

ESOL is English for Speakers of Other Languages and is a crucial form of English language teaching and learning.  ESOL learners come from diverse backgrounds and communities. Many are long-term UK residents; others are more recent arrivals. What they share is a need for English language skills to access employment, support their families, engage with public services, and participate in civic life. NCC teaches 4,000 adult ESOL learners each year. Last year over 2000 of these progressed to higher level vocational qualifications for work. 

  • As well as adult skills funding cuts, ESOL is specifically at risk through the move from some authorities to remove funding for ESOL altogether. 

    • 48% of new arrivals to the UK are educated to degree level. ESOL unlocks qualifications and professional skills that already exist — skills our economy needs. 

    • People who speak English are more likely to work, earn more, pay more tax, and rely less on public services and interpreters. 

  • English and maths to Level 2 are already fully funded and legally protected. Extending the same protection to ESOL would recognise the distinct needs of ESOL learners, safeguard provision against political attack, and ensure that the adults who most need English language skills can continue to access them.