Hello all
A reminder of Friday’s launch of the Learning English in Leeds website – see below and attached for details. Please come along if you are involved with the provision of ESOL in Leeds or are interested in the initiative more generally.
All the best
James
*****
RE: Learning English in Leeds (LEL) Stage 1 Website Launch
Friday 5th December 10:00 – 12:00, Banqueting Suite, Civic Hall
On behalf of the LEL Steering Group, I would like to invite you to the above event (and attached).
The purpose of this event is to launch the new LEL website to support services and learners to access ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) provision across Leeds, with the click of a button. LEL will support new migrants in integrating successfully into life in Leeds and also gives the opportunity to established communities who want to learn English.
Leeds City College already has a long waiting list, yet there are so many other opportunities in the city that could be made available to them right now. Furthermore, with the launch of LEL, the website will provide a systematic overview of provision for the benefit of people in Leeds.
The vision for Leeds is to be the best City and best Council by 2030 and working with communities is a key area. As you are aware language barriers add immense pressure on statutory services in paying for interpreting and translation costs. While Leeds City Council currently prioritises the use of interpreting and translation services, the council policy is to limit the use of these expensive services where possible, without compromising a customer’s access.
Recommendation 15 of the Cross Council Approach to Migration, Corporate Leadership Team Report highlights the need to continue to develop the LEL platform and explore the cost and savings of potential further ways to reduce barriers and to support increased English language learning and customer access in the city.
We aim to have representation from directorates across the whole council and will be delighted if you or your delegate could attend and support this initiative.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Launch Program
09:30 – 10:00 Registration and refreshments
10:00 – 10.05 Welcome Mick Ward, Head of Commissioning (Leeds City Council)
10:05 – 10.15 Introduction James Simpson (University of Leeds)
10:15 – 10:20 Learner experience # 1 film
10:20 – 10:35 Steering group introductions – offering 3 different perspectives on why each organisation is involved in and will benefit from LEL. Jayne Gant (Leeds City Council), Fiona Gregg (Leeds City College), Veronica Omeni (Leeds Language College Ltd)
10:35 – 10:40 Learner experience # 2 film
10:40 – 10:55 Mingling providers and stakeholders mingle and try to find out about others organisations’ ESOL provision and other details
10:55 – 11:00 Quiz using LEL search criteria
11:00 – 11:05 Learner experience # 3 ‘live’
11:05 – 11:20 Refreshments
11:20 – 11:35 Lord Mayor Electronic ribbon cutting
11:35 – 11:50 Testing LEL website on different platforms and feedback
11:50 – 12:00 Closing remarks James Simpson (University of Leeds)
Pria
Pria Bhabra
Commissioning Officer (Migrant Access)
Migration Partnership
Adult Social Care
2nd Floor East
Merrion House
110 Merrion Street
Leeds
LS2 8QB
Tel: 07891 272004