Attending ESOL classes at the right level can be life-changing for many, but funding cuts and policy changes mean that many face an uphill struggle to access provision. For workers with long hours or shifts, for example, ESOL in the workplace could be a gamechanger, opening up new opportunities to gain vital language skills.
Despite the main source of funding for ESOL (formerly, the Adult Education Budget) having halved in real terms between 2009/10 and 2016/17, in some areas of the country the prioritisation of ESOL and flexible use of funding has enabled it to be delivered effectively.
Funding rules need to be more flexible and effective at meeting local ESOL demand, so more regions can follow suit. England also needs appropriate funding models in further education to ensure colleges are not disincentivised from offering ESOL provision. Funding models should also be considered which incentivise employers to provide ESOL at work (e.g., via the Apprenticeship Levy).