UCL Institute of Education

Young People, Education, Employment & ESOL

Funded by The Bell Foundation

Project Aim

The 12-month study will investigate how current ESOL provision meets the needs of, and provides opportunities for, young people aged 16-25 who use English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Project Partners

The Bell Foundation is working in partnership with UCL Institute of Education (IoE), which is undertaking the research. The research team is led by Dr Olga Cara, Lecturer in Education, Practice and Society. As well as leading the project, Dr Cara will be responsible for the analysis of quantitative data.

About the Project

Young people currently face increasing levels of insecurity in their work, education and housing, which affects the transition to adulthood and outcomes in later life. While there has been research on pupils who use English as an Additional Language in the English school system (up to age 16), there has been very little attention paid to the needs of these individuals once they leave school.

Through analysing the data available in the National Pupil Database (NPD) and the Individualised Learner Record (ILR), alongside an extensive literature review of practice in the UK and internationally, the project will answer the following questions:

  • What role do English language programmes play in enabling learners to access further education or training opportunities?
  • What is the attainment and progression of young people (aged 16-25) who use EAL?
  • What, if any, support is offered to young people in the transition from compulsory to post-compulsory education?
  • What role should English language programmes (ESOL or others) play in enabling English language learners to access further education or future training opportunities?
  • Which specific groups of learners need more support to achieve their goal and how can they be best supported in the further education or employment sectors?

Research and university partners

School partners and Centres of Expertise

Charitable Partners

Research and university partners