AQW 22047/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 06/02/2025
Answered On Date: 25/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to their responsibilities for integration, to detail any work they are undertaking to support the enhanced delivery of English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.

Answer:

We recognise the important role English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) plays in supporting successful integration and welcome the work being led by the Department for the Economy (DfE) on the development of a draft ESOL Policy. This is being done in collaboration with stakeholders, including officials from The Executive Office.

Over the last two financial years, we have also facilitated the allocation of additional funding to enhance ESOL provision. DfE has used this funding not only to provide additional ESOL classes, but to support the removal of barriers to ESOL and to develop bespoke ESOL provision, including ESOL with Childcare, the ESOL Transitions programme, aimed at young refugees, and ESOL for Employment.

Funding has also been provided to local councils, some of which is intended for ESOL provision, and a number of Minority Ethnic Development Fund (MEDF) recipients choose to provide ESOL classes to those they work with.