Action for ESOL campaign

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24/8/11 Action for ESOL Seminar 2 DEFENDING OUR PRACTICE AND PROFESSION: Where we’ve come from, where we are now and where we’re going. Saturday September 10th 2011 10.30am -1pm at Action Aid 33-39 Bowling Green Lane London EC1R OBJ http://g.co/maps/d8ub In this seminar we will consider ESOL practice and professionalism and how we can consolidate and strengthen our sector at a time of funding cuts, change and uncertainty. Following our discussions at the first seminar on 11th June we hope to agree on a set of demands and principles which will form a manifesto for ESOL. Please come along and join the discussion. This meeting will be followed at 2pm with an Action for ESOL campaign meeting in which we will discuss the current funding situation and the next steps for the campaign. Everyone wishing to get involved are welcome to attend. 19/7/11 We fully endorse the Action for ESOL press statement. See http://actionforesol.org/ or our home page for full statement The BIS 'Skills for Sustainable Growth Strategy' http://www.natecla.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=552 The NATECLA Co Chairs said "The cuts in FE funding, are creating the most serious crisis for the future of ESOL that has ever been seen. The impact of these combined decisions is to jeopardise all the work that has been built up over the years in producing good quality and well-resourced provision and a trained workforce. If the government truly wants people to integrate and be part of the ‘big society’ then language is the key. ESOL learners are keen to learn the language and integrate into society but in order to do this they need programmes that enable them to do so. NATECLA urges the government to reconsider their decision and recognise and prioritise students of ESOL" A planning meeting held January 12th organised by an ESOL Alliance was attended by around 70 people. ESOL practitioners came from all around the country and also others from UCU, NATECLA, the Refugee Council, Ruth Hayman Trust, City of Sanctuary were represented. A coordinating committee was established and an Action for ESOL site developed Website http://www.actionforesol.org CURRENT INFORMATION ESOL survey Action for ESOL have compiled a short survey, with the aims of widening the campaign, and building up a picture of what different organisations are planning to do regarding ESOL provision in September http://actionforesol.org/ Equality Impact Assessment Template http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3279.doc Seminar: DEFENDING OUR PRACTICE AND PROFESSION: Where we’ve come from, where we are now and where we’re going If you would like to attend please contact Dan Taubman at DTaubman@ucu.org.uk Saturday June 11th from 11am -1pm Venue: UCU Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH No charge http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3276.pdf ESOL fest 19 June London Action for ESOL http://actionforesol.org/events Make some noise for ESOL Thursday 19th May 12.15- 1pm http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3273.pdf Westminster Hall Debate Wednesday 3 May 2011 Future provision of English for speakers of other languages courses. Debate opened by Heidi Alexander MP for Lewisham Text of debate http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3269.pdf Minister John Hayes "In summary, yes, we needed to re-consider ESOL, as we have needed to consider all spending priorities; yes, we needed to eliminate some of the waste; yes, I will ensure that the review is completed properly and informs policy. We will then determine how we move forward, inspired by some of the comments made today" Watch the debate http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=8198 Executive summary: Impact Assessment ESOL: Greater Nottingham, April 2011 http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3266.pdf - Full survey http://www.begin.org.uk/news Action for ESOL website http://www.actionforesol.org The home page will have NATIONAL news, media coverage and events and updates from the campaign. A new 'regions' section of the website will link to blogs from each region that wants to be represented. These blogs will be coordinated by one person from each region, in conjunction with others and will contain LOCAL information. Here stories, photos, and content from each region including reports of events in March can be updated. It also provides a great place for students to contribute their own content and to feel ownership of the campaign- it could be used to teach online skills in ESOL lessons. Action for ESOL meeting to discuss the next stages of the campaign held at the Maurice Hall, Working Men’s College, 7th April 6pm-8pm. London NW1 1TR Notes from this meeting http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3265.pdf Parliamentary briefing 29 March organised by NIACE and the Refugee Council. Notes from the briefing http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3263.pdf Press Release from Refugee Council http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/archive/news/2011/april/20110401_ESOLcuts NIACE Press Release http://www.niace.org.uk/news/parliamentary-esol-briefing DAY OF ACTION 24th MARCH http://actionforesol.org/events PRESS RELEASE http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3259.doc Action for ESOL logo http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3260.jpg Day of Action flyer http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3255.pdf http://www.natecla.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=576 - To subscribe to ESOL-Research where there will be 'Action for ESOL' updates and information please go to www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ESOL-Research and follow the instructions. - Sign the petition. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41552.html We urge the government to reconsider the approach to ESOL outlined in the 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth' Strategy, recognise the contribution that migrants make to the economy and society as a whole and prioritise publicly funded ESOL provision for low paid and economically vulnerable people. ESOL students are keen to learn the language and integrate into society. In order to do this they need programmes that enable them to do so. We pledge our support to defend ESOL. The petition will be handed in at Downing Street on 24th March so please do not send them to National Centre after 14 March - Paper version of the petition. http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3224.pdf - FAQ's and answers http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3223.pdf - Join Action for ESOL on Twitter - http://twitter.com/ActionforESOL and Facebook- Action For ESOL - Action for ESOL poster http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3225.pdf Action for ESOL Briefing paper. See top of page. It is intended to be used to help with making the case for ESOL funding and against the cuts when approaching people in the public such as MPs, journalists etc. -Template can be used to gather evidence for the Equality Impact Assessmant. http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3238.doc - We understand that BIS will be announcing an ESOL Equality Impact Assessment. It is really important that as many learners, practitioners and providers as possible respond. There is guidance on the BIS website on how to complete them http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/better-regulation/policy/scrutinising-new-regulations/preparing-impact-assessments You may answer the questions you wish had been asked rather than the questions in the assessment document. Powerful evidence would be - - Case studies of learners who will be unintentionally disadvantaged by the new regulations. - Statistics on all current ESOL learners, showing those on ‘inactive benefits’ who will be unintentionally excluded by the changes. Student Case Study http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3216.pdf Student Testimony http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3215.pdf