Language is a key. If you can speak in one language, you have just one key. If you can more than one language, you have several keys to open the good ways in your life.
ESOL learner Shir Mohammad
Our work with post-16 & adults (ESOL)
Working with partners to break down language barriers, to education, in the workplace, and across the criminal justice system.
Overcoming barriers to opportunity through ESOL provision
Over one million people who speak English as a second or additional language (ESL) report not speaking English well or at all. One third of these people are UK citizens.
ESL speakers have wide-ranging skills and experience, but language barriers and a lack of funding and provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) mean that these assets are all too often going unrecognised and unutilised.
The Bell Foundation works with post-16 and adult education partners and wider stakeholders to improve outcomes for young people and adults who are excluded because of language barriers.
We address systemic language barriers in education, the workplace, communities and across the criminal justice system, as well as influencing policy change. As part of our convening role in ESOL, we bring partners and stakeholders together through network meetings, roundtables and other forums to discuss key issues, share learning and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Learn more about our work with partners below.
Traditionally, free ESOL courses…are delivered during the typical school day…[leaving] minimal free provision for those who can’t access courses at these times. This project funded through The Bell Foundation will focus on influencing how ESOL can be better designed and delivered for individuals who are currently in paid employment, specifically those why remain stuck in-low paid work as a result of poor English.
Partner organisation, High Trees
Blog: Why are so many young refugees missing out on education?
In this blog, Diana Sutton, Director of The Bell Foundation, explores brand new evidence on the experience of young refugees arriving later into the education system and what urgent policy changes are needed.
Read the blog
Teenage asylum seekers arriving after start of school year in 'no man's land', report says
Read our article in The Guardian which uncovers our research with REUK and former refugee Angel's experience in the UK.
Read the article
Webinar "Why Are So Many Child Refugees in the UK Missing out on Education?"
A webinar exploring the findings of REUK’s research on the barriers to young refugees accessing education and the policy changes needed.
Watch the webinar
Policy briefing
Research study "Education provision for newly arrived displaced adolescents".
Find out more
Prison ESOL Screening Tool for Speaking and Listening
A tool to identify if a person in prison needs an initial ESOL assessment.
Find out more
New course: How to communicate with prisoners who use English as an Additional Language
For most prisoners, adjusting to the daily routine of prison life is no small thing. For someone who is new to English or in the early stages of English language learning, who may also be very far from home and potentially in a different country from their family and friends, the impact is even more profound.
Find out more
Blog: Breaking down language barriers for inmates: "I can see a future for myself"
Our partners, Pact, speak to an inmate who has participated in the Building Bridges project, which seeks to enhance the accessibility of these courses for speakers of English as a second or additional language (ESL) in prison.
Read the blog
Reaching hard-to-reach Roma communities in Suffolk: “Together we can make a real change”
In this blog, Sue Wardell from Suffolk Law Centre, one of our partners, talks about their grant funded programme which aims to make legal services more accessible to the local Roma community.
Read the blog
New research "Language Barriers in the Criminal Justice System"
A new report provides evidence on how language barriers impact victims, witnesses, defendants and detainees, as well as people in prison or on probation.
Find out more