Concerns that women from immigrant communities may no longer be able to learn English

BBC Women's Hour Friday 10 September Funding changes for English language classes set to hit women carers From the beginning of August, students attending classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages will have to pay a fee, unless they can demonstrate that they can’t afford to pay. The Government says that funding for ESOL courses will remain broadly the same next year. But there are worries that the changes will mean that many women from immigrant communities will no longer be able to continue to learn English. We visit an ESOL class at Bethnal Green in East London where women from the Bangladeshi community are learning English, and find out how the classes are helping them. BBC Women's Hour speaks to Philippa Langton of the Learning and Skills Council and Chris Taylor of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education about the impact of the changes. To listen to this interview go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/04/2007_32_fri.shtml