19th March, 2012

Big challenges and small solutions

Overview:

• ESOL – creating the conditions for integration?

• The ESOL Nexus project – an overview

• Three big challenges and a few small solutions

A: Good morning, can I help you?B: Hi, yes, I’ve got an appointment with Dr. MulliganB: Can I have your name, please?A: Yes, it’s Mrs PowellB: Here we are, 10.30. Would

you like to take a seat in the waiting room?

ESOL – creating the conditions for integration?

Published 21 Feb 2012

Department for communities and local government

5 key factors that contribute to integration

Where does English have a role?

English facilitating integration:

“Integration comes from everyday life, and long-term social and economic challenges create barriers to a

more integrated nation.

People come together through day-to-day activities, not 'integration projects' which too often feel irrelevant

and prove unsustainable. ”

Creating the conditions for Integration, Pg 8

Integration facilitating English

“…the degree to which a learner acculturates to the target-language group will control the degree to

which he acquires the second language”

(Schumann, 1978a: 34)

The ESOL Nexus project

Background

European Integration Funded (EIF) projects enhance the integration of third country

nationals who have migrated to the United Kingdom over the last 10 years.

The 3 year ESOL Nexus project commenced on 1 July 2011

Aims

To provide the target group with opportunities to develop their English language,

citizenship and work skills via web-based resources.

To engage with 48,000 learners over 3 years (and their teachers)

Key features of the project

A unique online portal providing easy access to resources for learners, teachers,

providers and policy makers

Pilot centres trialling resources and serving as a vehicle for engagement with

learners and teachers

A diverse team of ESOL specialists throughout the UK developing new materials to

meet the needs of ESOL learners, with a focus on interaction in society and

vocational contexts.

“Everyday life” – three challenges

1. The language that learners really need

2. The language that people really use

3. “Ready for anything” - language for unexpected outcomes

The language that learners really need

With a partner, brainstorm a list of situations in which you have used spoken English to get

something done (transactional language) over the last week or so.

You have 3 minutes!

My list

•Working out how to split the bill with a friend in a café

•Persuading the courier to collect as well as deliver something

•Telling someone they’ve called the wrong number

•Buying an egg and bacon muffin

•Finding out about my daughter’s progress at parents’ evening

•Giving the dentist’s receptionist my details

•Telling the hairdresser how long to cut my fringe

•Arranging an MOT for my car

•Calling the school absence-reporting line

•Dealing with the NatWest Bank fraud department

Small solutions

Needs analysis

“What do you need English for?”

“When do you find it difficult to communicate in English?”

Developing resources for a wider range of contexts

Parents’ evening

Driving in the UK

Working as a volunteer

Being self-employed

Reading aloud to your children

The language people really use

A: Do you want to come over here? 1

B: Right, thanks (3 secs) thank you. 2

A: Tea or coffee? 3

B: Can I have tea please? 4

A: Do you want any sugar? 5

B: Er, no milk or sugar, just black thanks 6

C: Right 7

B: I hate it when your hair gets so, you know a bit long [C: Yeah] and it’s just straggly.

89

Small solutions

Authentic sources

At the post office:

Working in a charity shop

“Ready for anything” – language for unexpected outcomes

With a partner:

Thinking back to your list of situations in which you have used spoken English to get something done (transactional

language) over the last week or so, how many of these transactions went smoothly? Did the person you were

speaking to always say what you expected them to?

You have 2 minutes!

Small solutions

Wrong time, wrong place

Lesson Plans

Developing communication strategies

How to…

How you can get involved

• Sign today up for further updates on the progress of the portal

• Publicise the project to colleagues and learners

• Get involved in piloting materials

• Follow us on Twitter @ESOLNexus

• Attend future workshops and events

• Contribute to online blogs and opportunities to leave feedback on the website

• Access online CPD Modules and other training opportunities

For further information contact: Dot.Powell@britishcouncil.org