DEMOS

English for Speakers of other languages sits at the heart of a number of heated – and crowded – debates. Questions around economic success, social inclusion, integration, citizenship and national identity all affect, and are affected by the availability, take-up and quality of ESOL provision.

Perhaps as a result of the number of issues and organisations involved in these overlapping debates, questions around ESOL provision are laden with complexity. Policy therefore requires a rationale for ESOL that makes sense across government – and arrangements for funding and providing opportunities to learn that reflect the everyday dynamics of people’s lives.

This project, running in parallel to wider Demos work on adult learning, will begin with first principles – why ESOL matters – and work through to a logical conclusion of how best it can be delivered in practice, within a coherent policy framework.

For more information please contact Duncan O'Leary.

This project is funded by the Association of Colleges.