A new £6.5 million English language programme to help local
authorities to meet the English language needs of their
communities was announced today (6 March 2020) by Communities
Secretary .
The programme will help people fulfil their potential and
increase integration in their local area.
Building on the success of previous community-based programmes,
the £6.5 million English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) for
Integration Fund will fund classes for up to 25 local
authorities.
Since 2013 over 100,000 places have been made available to help
isolated adults improve their English language proficiency and
build their self-confidence through community-based programmes.
The new programme will deliver high-quality language teaching in
familiar and accessible community locations including schools,
registered childcare settings and places of worship.
It is also designed to improve people’s connection to their local
area and encourage social relationships between different
communities.
Lack of English skills presents a clear barrier to social and
economic mobility. For some learners more formal approaches to
learning English can be challenging.
The most common difficulties are travel costs, lack of childcare,
illiteracy in their first language or a reluctance or lack of
confidence to make the first steps towards learning English.
The new programme aims to remove those obstacles and continue to
fund classes in familiar community locations.
Communities Minister Rt Hon said:
This government is committed to uniting and levelling up our
country and that means building a rich and vibrant but
integrated society.
Learning English is essential to life and work in this country
and people see huge benefits when they can speak our language
fluently.
We are making this requirement in our new British immigration
system and funding for existing citizens who speak little or no
English, providing further funding to help them learn English
quickly and in doing so, play a full part in their local
community.
Up to £6.5 million is available in 2020 to 2021 to support up to
25 successful local authority proposals for one year. £5 million
will be available to support taught sessions to participants at
New to ESOL (Pre-Entry
– Entry Level 1) by qualified ESOL practitioners;
and £1.5 million will be available for social mixing
opportunities for the whole ESOL community
through clubs and activities.
The fund provides an opportunity for local authorities to tell
the department about their area and how they will deliver
learning to residents with little or no English language, who may
feel disconnected within their local communities.
Find details on the application
process and the ESOL for
Integration Fund prospectus.
The most recent Census (2011) found that 770,000 people that live
in England speak little or no English. The demand for English
language classes remains high.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has a
successful track record of delivering English for Speakers of
Other Languages (ESOL), in
community-based settings, as a key intervention to support
increased social integration. Interventions range from the
Community Based English Language Programme in 2013 to the
Integrated Communities English Language Programme in 2019 to
2020.
For the last 3 years ESOL social
mixing opportunities, such as conversations clubs and activities,
have also been supported by the department through the
Controlling Migration Fund.
The English language teaching will focus on connecting learners
to the places, spaces and people in their local area – helping
them in everyday situations such as shopping in the high street,
visiting the doctor or attending a parents’ evening. The fund
will also provide opportunities for English language practice and
social mixing through shared interests and activities.
The fund is intended to supplement English language provision
already available under the Adult Skills Budget and many of the
participants will be expected to progress to more
formal ESOL classes
as their proficiency and confidence grows.
