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3. PURPOSE AND CONTEXT
This strategy focuses on the provision of publicly funded ESOL in Scotland for a community of learners which includes new migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, along with settled minority ethnic communities. We also recognise the contribution that Scotland's thriving commercial EFL (English as a Foreign Language) sector makes, to meeting the needs of international students wishing to learn English.
Coherent provision and consistent high quality will benefit all learners within ESOL and EFL provision. Through this strategy, good practice will be recognised and shared.
The Adult ESOL Strategy for Scotland - Action Plan (March 2007) sets out the main actions we will take to implement the strategy, with indicative timescales.
For the purposes of this strategy, adult ESOL learners are defined as those for whom English is not a first language and who need spoken and written English for everyday life and to participate in the labour market, learning, their local communities and wider society.
Changing Demographics
Since 2000, the demographics of ESOL provision in Scotland have changed considerably, due to:
- significantly higher numbers of asylum seekers and refugees settled in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow, since 2000;
- an influx of migrant workers coming from EU accession states to work across Scotland; and
- increasing numbers of people, who may need access to ESOL provision, coming to live and work in Scotland with the encouragement of the First Minister's Fresh Talent Initiative.
Changes to UK naturalisation regulations have also contributed to an increase in demand for ESOL provision in Scotland. These regulations stipulate that an applicant for British citizenship has to show, 'sufficient knowledge of a language [English, Welsh or Scots' Gaelic]', to be determined by possession of 'a specified qualification' or by taking the citizenship test. The regulations have been extended by the Home Office to include all those who have permanent leave to remain in the UK.
The response of ESOL providers
ESOL providers in all sectors have responded admirably to this growth in demand.
The FE college sector, helped by additional Scottish Executive funding, has expanded considerably the provision of English language classes and thereby helped reduce waiting lists, particularly in the Central Belt.
Outside the Central Belt, where there has been a marked influx of new migrant workers from the EU expansion states, CLD and ALN partnerships have been delivering the majority of ESOL provision.
Some employers, too, have shown a willingness to support ESOL provision for their migrant workers, through allowing time off, providing a venue and learning resources.
In 2003, the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum ( SRIF) recommended the development of a national (Scottish) strategy for ESOL (action 51). The recommendations of the SRIF action plan were endorsed by Scottish Ministers and Life Through Learning; Learning Through Life (2003) pledged the Scottish Executive to, 'implement the relevant recommendations… with regard to the creation of learning opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers'.
Developing the Strategy
Until 2005, research data on the supply and demand of ESOL in Scotland was limited. The Scottish Executive's Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department ( ETLLD), in conjunction with Learning Connections, commissioned research to map all ESOL provision and demand across Scotland in May 2004 to provide some robust figures on demand for, type, quantity and quality of provision in Scotland as a basis upon which to formulate a national ESOL strategy.
The National 'English for Speakers of Other Languages' ( ESOL) Strategy: Mapping Exercise and Scoping Study (hereafter referred to as the ESOL report) was published in January 2005.
This research, complemented by recommendations from the ESOL Steering Group and examples of international good practice, informed the development of the ESOL strategy.
Public consultation on the draft strategy was held between July and October 2005. Respondents broadly endorsed the proposed vision and principles of the strategy. A summary of the main findings from analysis of the consultation responses is at Appendix A.
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