29 July 2010 Compulsory English language tests
In June 2010 the government announced that Compulsory English language tests will be introduced for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner.
It was announced on 26th July 2010 that the date of introduction will be 29 November 2010 then, any migrant who wants to enter or remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here will need to show that they can speak and understand English. Anyone wishing to come to the UK as a partner will need to demonstrate basic English at A1 level, the same level required for skilled workers admitted under Tier 2 of the points-based system.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
NATECLA opposes this new requirement for spouses and other dependants from non-European countries wishing to settle in the United Kingdom. We feel strongly that the UK is the best place for people settling here to learn English. It will discriminate particularly against women and dependants who may have had little or no educational opportunities and moreover would find it almost impossible to travel from their villages to centres where they can learn English.
In order to deal more fairly with spouses and other relatives it would be more appropriate to require them to pass an examination within a specified time period after arriving in the United Kingdom. This would allow immigrants to start classes within weeks of arrival instead of waiting for the present one or three year waiting period.
There is also Clause 8 of the Human Rights Act (1998) which emphasises the right to respect a person's private and family life. This new requirement will have a devastating effect on families, some of whom are already settled in the United Kingdom.
24/03/2010
Cuts in 'adult learner responsive' rate.
NATECLA is concerned that the announced cuts in the Adult Education Budget will result in a grave situation where some adult learners will not be able to access English courses. The cuts will have an impact both on the students and the communities that the colleges serve.
Whilst on the one hand the Government is saying that it is essential that everybody should learn English they are cutting the finance necessary to run classes for these learners. NATECLA feels it is a basic right of everyone to access English language learning.
We are concerned that this is a retrograde step. If the government is serious about its ‘New Approach to ESOL’, then they should be alleviating the impact of the cuts in relation to ESOL provision
There have been a number of changes over the years impacting on ESOL provision, such as the introduction of fees. NATECLA feel that this added burden of cuts in the budget can only add to the difficulties that providers already face and threatens to undermine the ‘New Approach’.
Patricia Sullivan and Balvinder Bassra
NATECLA Co Chairs
See Association of Colleges press release
ESOL New Approach -May 2009
From NATECLA we welcome any move to tackle barriers to provision, particularly for women at E1 and E2 with childcare needs and for those who are not able to either pay fees or evidence hardship. We know that in many cases outreach and community based provision at E1 and E2 has been reduced because of the local LSC focus on PSA / Leitch targets.
We hope that local authorities will be persuaded to draw on the extensive knowledge and expertise held by many large colleges and other providers, as well as voluntary and community groups.
We question the impact of this shift in policy when there is no additional funding to support outreach activity and providers’ performance is still measured in terms of success rates. As an example, are those E1 learners, who have not developed reading and writing in their first language, to be allowed the time and support they need to achieve a qualification? The document mentions roll-on roll-off provision and short intensive packages – which may be of benefit for some people but for many the need is for accessible, quality ESOL which allows them to progress according to their individual needs.
Focusing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) on Community Cohesion. Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills Consultation.
The National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA) is pleased to see that the government recognises the importance of English language skills in achieving social cohesion and integration and is conducting this consultation. As always our main concern is that vulnerable learners have access to provision that is free and easily accessible and we welcome the opportunity to respond to this consultation.
4 January 2008
Press release 19/09/07 ESOL funding
NATECLA voices its concerns on the impact of the funding changes which end the free entitlement to ESOL Classes. We have been conducting a survey amongst our members to monitor the impact of these changes and initial responses paint a gloomy picture in some areas. Provision has been cut, particularly entry-level programmes, partly due to the focus on Level 2 programmes. This is exactly the area where provision needs to grow if learners are to stand any chance of ever achieving a Level 2 qualification. We accept that enrolment is still continuing and there will always be problems during ant transition stage but the general picture is that numbers are down. Potential learners are not completing their enrolment when they discover how much they have to pay and others are put off by the amount of additional paperwork they need to provide.
There also seems to be a lack of clarity and interpretation in the Learner Support fund, which has resulted in delays in enrolment and uncertainty. Learners are having to return two or three to provide all the documentation and in some cases are simply not returning. Others are reporting that the Learner Support fund is woefully inadequate. This is surely not what the government intended when they assured the sector that they would find accessible ways of learners proving that they were on low incomes and that the learner support funds would protect vulnerable adults such as spouses who might not be able to produce the documentation.
We warned the government about the additional time and resources that would be needed to check documentation, this was ignored and is now resulting in stressful situations for both learners and teachers. Some providers have also questioned whether the increased time and cost spent in collecting fees and chasing documentation particularly in community based ESOL actaully justifies the fees raised. A quote from one teacher sums up the situation 'This is the most stressful start to term I have ever known'. Although it is early days we are already seeing the negative impact of the changes which contradict the government's policy of cohesion and integration and unfortunately, we feel there is worse to come. As part of the ESOL Alliance we are supporting the Save ESOL campaign and the day of action and urge the government to take heed of what is happening and reinstate free provision, particularly at the lower levels.
Irene Austin and Anne McKeown - NATECLA Co-Chairs
We need data about applicants who are unable to take up places because of costs and case study evidence. Please continue to survey your students.
http://www.natecla.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=189
Link is to the UCU Save ESOL campaign and July bulletin
http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2255
Write to your MP. http://www.writetothem.com/
NATECLA Press Release 4 October 2006
What speakers of English as a second language in the UK most need is high quality opportunities to learn English on courses which are local, flexible, easy to access and tailored to their needs. NATECLA warmly welcomes the findings of the NIACE Committee of Enquiry Report "More than a Language". For the very first time a national report has looked in detail at how English language teaching in the UK can be delivered and administered
NATECLA’s Co- Chairs Irene Austin and Anne McKeown said the Association was looking forward to working closely with NIACE and the Government on implementing the Report’s recommendations particularly those on the future long term funding of ESOL. "We are pleased that the Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education Bill Rammell said there were no proposals to cut the overall ESOL budget."
At the same time the Association is concerned that changes to funding if not very carefully planned and administered, could unintentionally restrict the availability of ESOL. "We fear that some vulnerable groups could be unable to access learning, with dangerous consequences for social inclusion and community cohesion. Would-be citizens may find it hard to achieve the level of English language skills required for citizenship if provision is restricted."
NIACE (National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education) launched the final report of its year long Committee of Enquiry into English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) called ‘More than just a Language’ on Tuesday 3/10/06 at Abbey Community Centre London
