Let’s not leave ESOL to chance

August typically means exam results and preparation for the new academic year. However, with a new prime minister, this year is looking a little different. With a clear devolution agenda, as seen in the devolution of 16–19 funding, the education sector is rapidly trying to work out what this all means in practice and how it might work.

In theory, this policy shift in policy could help regional leaders to ensure local provision reflects local need. But Greater Lincolnshire’s recent decision to defund all English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision from 2027 has shown how local mayors can potentially frustrate national ambitions. This hinders the government’s aim of ensuring better adult English language provision that helps people integrate and contribute to their local communities.

Existing courses cannot replace ESOL

ESOL courses are vital for people to build fulfilling lives as citizens in the UK. So, skills minister Jacqui Smith’s recent call on all devolved authorities to remove the three-year residency rule for access to courses is an important and welcome step for adults learning English as a second language. The first of its kind since adult skills devolution, this order means that everyone can now have access to education from day one.

However, what this doesn’t do is reinstate ESOL provision in Greater Lincolnshire, which is still due to be defunded from next year. As a result, learners who would normally access ESOL will potentially be able to access other courses.

But the alternatives, such as functional skills English and GCSEs, are far from ideal as they’re designed for first-language English speakers. Many learners won’t have sufficient English to access these courses, leaving them without the provision that can unlock their skills or participate in their community.

Making English language learning accessible

The case of Greater Lincolnshire reiterates why national guardrails are urgently needed to ensure that ESOL provision is not left to chance. Many learners already face a postcode lottery; if we want people to be able to play a bigger part in their local communities, they must be able to access quality English language learning, regardless of where they live. The government’s review of national ESOL provision offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change this, and to make language learning more accessible and relevant to today’s learners.

A national framework

As devolution expands to further regions and with potentially many more responsibilities devolving, it is essential that the ESOL review delivers a national framework for ESOL, establishing guiding principles, clear expectations and accountability for provision. The Bell Foundation’s calls for change outline the roadmap to achieving this and ensuring better and fairer access to ESOL.

A framework for ESOL provision has never been more needed. The number of adult learners attending these classes has increased by nearly two thirds in the last five years alone. Despite this demand, ESOL investment through the adult skills fund and its predecessor funding streams has seen a 25 per cent drop in ESOL funding between 2010-11 and 2023-24 in real terms.

The government must grasp the nettle of how to meet this significant demand for ESOL at all levels. This means understanding ESOL is an investment and a key driver of community cohesion. Learning English enables people to access healthcare, education, public services, and community life. With appropriate provision that unlocks skills, learners, local communities will benefit as a result.

Part of a national framework should also ensure that practice and evidence is accessible to regional and local decisionmakers. Some effective ESOL practice already exists, but devolution has created a fragmented landscape where this isn’t necessarily known about everywhere. There is a clear need for a “what works” mechanism to share successful approaches and evidence as well as highlight where approaches are not working effectively.

As we await more details on how devolution will unfold, a national entitlement to ESOL would ensure that ESOL is valued and that everyone is able to integrate and contribute.