There have also been a few indications recently of greater recognition that many ESOL learners will require a significant amount of time to develop the language skills needed for work.
At the AoC ESOL event a couple of months ago there were suggestions that JCP, especially in London, but in other areas too, are increasingly realising that referring ESOL learners onto short courses doesn't improve their employment prospects.
More recently, the DfE/BIS report 'Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills' (April 2013) contains the following:
"While full-time training for people on benefits should generally last no longer than 8 weeks, we recognise that longer training may be appropriate for provision such as ESOL, English, maths and ICT, as long as the Jobcentre adviser believes they are the main barriers to someone getting and keeping a job, and progressing in work."
As Jennie and Peter have suggested, the relationship with JCP staff at local level is key - but there are perhaps some positive signs on this issue at last.
Alex
________________________________________
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Jennifer Turner [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 27 June 2013 14:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Today's spending Review
I think it depends - some providers have contracts directly to provide ESOL under the work programme and others, like us, use part of their Adult Skills Budget to put on courses for JSA claimants, in partnership with JCP.
It was a rocky road to get these courses working, but we now offer 15 hours per week for 12 weeks and infill any spaces from existing waiting lists. The students either take college certificates or Speaking and Listening. Most of the demand is at E1 and E1 beginner level. To date we have not found any lack of will to learn from students, but many have huge problems such as homelessness to contend with and very high levels of anxiety about losing benefits etc.
We now have a working relationship and regular meetings with JCP which certainly helps.
Jennie
-----Original Message-----
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Judy Kirsh
Sent: 27 June 2013 13:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Today's spending Review
Hi
I don't think anyone knows at this stage what exactly is going to happen but I agree with Peter that a major concern is the quality of provision.
I think it's important that JCP and providers are made aware of the literacy needs of many of the ESOL learners on these courses. This has implications for the classroom in terms of methodology and training for the teachers, most of whom are not specialists in teaching basic literacy to Esol learners.
By the way, in terms of equivalence to levels, 'age 9' is supposed to be roughly Entry 3 ( or B1 CEFR) which seems to be the level the government deems acceptable for life and work in the UK. It's the level applicants for settlement and citizenship will have to demonstrate in speaking and listening from October.
Judy
Co-chair, Natecla
Sent from my iPad
On 27 Jun 2013, at 13:01, Peter Griffiths <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi
>
> Today's Times states that '£350 million saved will be reinvested in back-to-work schemes such as English classes for migrants and interview coaching for job seekers'. It also states that migrants will be expected to reach 'a level of English equivalent to a 9 year old' or they could lose benefits. I'm intrigued at how that is going to work.
>
> However, I'd advise any provider to engage with Job Centre Plus at this stage because I think that is where any future growth in funding for ESOL provision lies. We are looking to begin a continuous rolling programme of short intensive courses for Job Centre referrals from 13-14 onwards.
>
> Most job centre referrals need English and are willing to learn. Some are not and are mandated to learn or could lose benefits. I personally don't have a great deal of time for those who come to the UK with no English, claim JSA and then refuse to turn up for our free English classes.
>
> Peter Griffiths
> (Head of Essential Skills, Bolton College)
> ________________________________________
> From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board
> [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Taubman
> [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 27 June 2013 09:42
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: FW: FW: Today's spending Review
>
> I am getting a few replies back to my request for clarification around DWP and ESOL. In the ones that i have received the position seems very variable. With some like Gill others saying that the relationship with JCP is good and they get referrals and there is also joint provision. I think given what is to come this might be an issue that AfE takes up. It has been bubbling around for a while. Given the prominence that Osbourne’s statement gave to ESOL looks pretty certain we are going to see a crackdown.
>
> From: Gill Evans [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 26 June 2013 17:14
> To: [log in to unmask]; Dan Taubman
> Subject: Re: FW: Today's spending Review
>
> We have certainly had students who have had to drop out of our college courses because they were 'forced' - under threat of losing benefits - to attend less suitable programmes associated with the job centre. Several students this term have had to leave, and had already been entered for exams which they will not now take, because they have to attend a course offered by an organisation called 'Ingeus' - which I understood to be either employed by, or part of, DWP. These courses are always too short and the students involved are often those who need the longest courses, with the highest GLH, to improve their literacy skills. I have tried to discuss this with Ingeus staff (one of whom was described as an ESOL teacher), but with no success. An interesting Guardian article informed me that up to July 2012, Ingeus in West London had a success rate of 2.5% in finding jobs for their clients. The article stated that those job seekers who looked for jobs on their own, without the help of Ingeus, had a success rate of 5% of getting jobs. There does seem to be a lack of transparency about who is actually delivering the ESOL courses that our bona fide ESOL FE students are instructed to attend. Maybe the DWP employ large companies such as Ingeus, who then employ their own ESOL teachers?
>
> Gill Evans
> Performance Manager ESOL
> 020 7573 5376
>
>>>> Dan Taubman <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>>> 26/06/2013 16:53 >>>
> See my email exchange with Alison. Does anybody know if DWP do have their own ESOL provision or is it as Alison says sub-contracted (I suppose to existing providers)? I understood from various comments people made around the AfE Campaign that there were short intensive DWP ESOL courses.
>
> From: Alison Robinson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 26 June 2013 16:44
> To: Dan Taubman
> Cc: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Today's spending Review
>
> Hi Dan
> thanks for the updates.
>
> As you say, it seems as if they are just announcing what is already in place.
>
> As far as I know the DWP don't have their own ESOL provision. It is provided by colleges and other local education providers such as ourselves. I know that the quality of provision is mixed but we are striving to ensure that our ESOL for JCP customers is of the highest quality. We get many learners begging to come back at the end of their courses!
>
> Thanks again for the information
> Alison Robinson
> ESOL Coordinator
> Middlesbrough Community Learning Service
>
> On 26 June 2013 14:11, Dan Taubman <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
> “The Government is announcing a significant reform package that
> increases the support for and requirements on those out of work. This includes requiring claimants to do more at the start of their claim; some claimants waiting longer before being eligible for financial support; introducing weekly signing for around half of all job seekers, combined with quarterly restart interviews for all job seekers; expecting claimants whose spoken English is a barrier to work to improve their language skills, with sanctions for those who fail to attend mandatory courses; requiring all claimants who are subject to conditionality to verify their claim each year; and expecting lone parents to prepare for work when their youngest child turns three.”
>
> But I think this is what is there now under Skills Conditionality. It is referring to claimants with poor English who is JC+ think they need more English will make them have an assessment and go on a course. If not benefit sanctions. But this is only for claimants although as we know for ESOL that can be a lot of people. Also one assumes what they will be directed to will be DWP provision which as again we know can be crap.
> But still a lot of detail not there about more general measures
>
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