Newham ESOL Exchange aims to co-ordinate and improve English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes in the borough.
In autumn 2007 three workers based in Community Centres, but not directly involved in ESOL provision began talking about the difficulties many people were having in accessing suitable ESOL training. In some places there were just long waiting lists, but many clients could not access free tuition because of their immigration status, or because there was no childcare provision. We also had concerns about the geographical spread of classes, and the apparent shortfall of provision for pre-entry level learners.
We invited service providers to join our discussions. They brought detailed additional information about ESOL provision and funding issues. We were surprised to discover that there was no co-ordination of ESOL service planning, commissioning, or delivery. In fact no-one had a clear picture of what was available, where, and when. Providers felt they were succeeding when their classes were full, but no-one was giving much attention to unmet needs. We all agreed that much better information and planning for ESOL in Newham was needed. This would primarily help learners and potential learners, but would also help ESOL providers and commissioners.
As a result of these wider discussions, a working group made up of local ESOL providers was set up. It organised two important half-day conferences in 2008. In February, 28 people from 21 organisations heard a speaker from the Department of Innovation, Universities, and Skills (DIUS) as well as local professionals, and gave a clear mandate to progress plans for the ESOL Exchange project. They elected a steering group which includes people from the voluntary, community, and statutory sectors. In May, 32 people attended a conference that looked at ESOL from the national perspective and at funding, child care and collaborative working.
Using a small grant from Newham ChangeUp, ESOL provision in Newham was mapped and a Newham ESOL Directory was compiled in July 2008 and updated in January 2010. This is available electronically (below) and Newham College of Further Education has printed copies for distribution to schools, libraries, community centres and local service centres.
The ESOL Exchange represents a genuinely collaborative network of organisations from the voluntary and statutory sectors. A Consortium Group meets every two months to share news and discuss issues important to ESOL - new members are always welcome. A smaller Steering Group focuses on the direction and management of the ESOL Exchange.
If you deliver ESOL or if you work with people who need to improve their English, Newham ESOL Exchange has a lot to offer. You can get involved in the following ways:
Use the directory and tell others about it
Join the ESOL Exchange email list to receive occasional information and news about ESOL, including events organised by the ESOL Exchange - contact us for more information.
Come to one of our bi-monthly Consortium meetings - a perfect place to network and find out what's going on - contact us for more information.
For further information contact:
Anne Crisp
Community Development Worker
Aston-Mansfield Community Involvement Unit
E-mail: anne.crisp@aston-mansfield.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8536 3822
Latest Information
Please visit us again for the latest updates on the work of the ESOL Exchange.
Download the Newham ESOL Directory
Click on the link below to download the latest edition of the Newham ESOL Directory.
ESOL Directory 2010
