Standing against anti-migrant attacks

NATECLA has been deeply concerned and saddened by the recent racist and Islamophobic violence, along with the increased incidence of attacks, violence and intimidation.

As the professional association and forum for teachers of English and other community languages to adults throughout the UK and Ireland, we are concerned for the wellbeing of the learners that our members teach, many of whom have sought sanctuary within these islands. We stand in solidarity with them, distressed that so many of them should be the target of orchestrated racism, Islamophobia and violence.

We know that our members and member organisations, who are responsible for teaching and managing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) across a range of settings, are working to keep ESOL classes and enrolments going as far as possible whilst reassuring their ESOL learners and helping to keep them safe.

The measures being adopted reflect local circumstances: for example, some ESOL providers have needed to cancel classes or move them online; others are thinking about additional security measures and/or delaying autumn enrolments.

As we learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic, ESOL practitioners are renowned for reacting quickly and creatively to challenging situations. Nevertheless, it’s disappointing that they’re having to do so in the current circumstances.

During the recent UK general election NATECLA called for an end to the use of divisive rhetoric around migration and the scapegoating of migrants. Whilst we’re continuing to see a worrying spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media and elsewhere, it has been heartening to see significant visible support for migrants and against the recent violence.