THE British Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, recently announced that public funding for English language teaching should be targeted where it would have the biggest impact on community cohesion and integration. Under the plan, immigrants who have settled in Britain with a weak grasp of English will be offered free English language lessons, The Press Association has reported.
Last year, the UK government halted free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses to immigrants over the age of 19 due to the financial burden incurred as a result of surging demand for the courses. Since then, both immigrants and their employers have been encouraged to contribute towards the cost of the lessons.
According to the new plan, the promotion of community cohesion will be given the highest priority when making funding decisions about ESOL courses. The UK government will retarget spending towards those who have made a long-term commitment to live in Britain, rather than economic immigrants who may only be there for a short time. As to how long a “long-term resident” needed to have been in the country to qualify for free ESOL courses, Bill Rammell, British Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, said it was under discussion. The plan says immigrants who can afford to pay will be expected to meet the costs of up to 37.5 percent of their course fees.
Mary Bousted, General Secretary of the UK Association of Teachers and Lecturers welcomed the announcement: “We are pleased the government has changed its mind and recognized the importance of English language lessons.”
Alan Tuckett, Director of the UK National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, also welcomed the government’s “recognition of the key importance” of ESOL to community cohesion.
Hazel Blears, British Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, agreed, saying that language barriers were considered the biggest obstacle to integration. “Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess for getting involved in your community, and getting on and doing well for yourself and your family,” she added.
