The UK government is to pilot short, work-focused English language courses, The Guardian has reported.
In his budget report, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said parents receiving welfare benefits or tax credits will be offered English for speakers of other language (ESOL) courses.
The higher education and lifelong learning minister, Bill Rammell, said that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority was already working with awarding bodies to develop shorter, work-related English language qualifications that would be introduced in September.
Rammell’s comments followed the government’s decision to change the way it funds ESOL courses for asylum seekers and migrants, a decision that met with much criticism when announced in October last year.
Following lobbying by teachers, colleges, trade unions and charities, the UK government stepped back from ending free classes for all asylum seekers over the age of 19 and instead said it would continue to fund lessons for those who are still waiting a decision on their claims after six months.
Reduction in funding for adult education is set to exacerbate the impact of government plans to restrict access to free English language courses, warns the University and College Union (UCU). UCU, which represents further education lecturers, says ESOL courses are vital for developing the country’s skills needs including the needs of settled communities and migrant workers. With the bulk of ESOL currently taught in London, cutbacks will affect efforts to meet the capital’s skills needs for the 2012 Olympic games and beyond.
The UK government said the changes are in response to the growing demand for English courses over the past five years, which have put a strain on education budgets.
