ESOL consultation - focusing ESOL on community cohesion

Public funding for English language teaching should be targeted where it will have the biggest impact on community cohesion and integration, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham recently announced. Under new proposals, the promotion of community cohesion would be given the highest priority in deciding on funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). This would mean retargeting spending towards those who have made a long-term commitment to live in Britain, rather than economic migrants who may only be here for a short time. In practice this will often mean the most deprived and socially excluded groups who may find it hard to find places on ESOL courses today. The consultation www.esolconsultation.org.uk follows a report published last year by the Commission for Integration and Cohesion, 'Our Shared Vision', which identified being able to communicate in English as one of the most important issues facing integration and cohesion in Britain. The report suggested that English language binds us together as a single group and vulnerable communities are being left without the English skills they need to get by. We want to hear what you think of the proposals put forward in our consultation document. We have organised a series of consultation events in various locations as follows: Tuesday 11th March Ealing Thursday 13th March Stoke on Trent Monday 17th March Rochdale Tuesday 1st April Peterborough Thursday 3rd April Bristol Places at these events are by invitation only and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Venue details will be sent to you nearer the time. Please sign up as soon a possible by clicking on the relevant link below: www.coievents.co.uk/esolconsultation_ealing www.coievents.co.uk/esolconsultation_stoke www.coievents.co.uk/esolconsultation_rochdale www.coievents.co.uk/esolconsultation_peterborough www.coievents.co.uk/esolconsultation_bristol For more details about the events; please contact the Central Office of Information (COI) on: 020 7261 8400.