Exploring varied partnerships and Learning Environments for effective ESOL delivery

The Workers’ Educational Association • Charity Founded in 1903, • UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education

with over – 400 local branches, – 3,000 volunteers, – 2,000 tutors

• In 2013/14 we delivered 9,700 courses for over 70,000 students in England and Scotland.

• We bring education into the heart of communities• We believe learning is for everyone and learning is for life.

It helps people feel that anything is possible. Visit our Website at www.wea.org.uk or use the QR code to access

WEA ESOL in the Yorkshire and Humber Region - Research Project

Qualitative exploration of ESOL provision in the Yorkshire and Humber regionThe project aimed to:• develop a qualitative characterisation of ESOL provision in the

region• provide those involved in provision an opportunity to discuss

their experiences as feedback• explore WEA partnerships across the region by looking at a

wide range of case studiesReport is available from

sarah.lund@sheffield.ac.uk

Aim of the Workshop

• To raise awareness of the complexity of ESOL in community spaces with particular focus on the partnerships developed to respond to ESOL needs.

Structure of the Workshop • The WEA• ESOL Research Project• Task 1 – Our students• Task 2 – The organisations we work with • Task 3 – Our partnerships models• Concluding discussion about ESOL in the

community

TASK 1: Who are WEA’s ESOL Students? Gender 9 out of every 10 students are femaleDeclared disability

1 in 10 students declare a physical disability1 in 100 students declare a learning disability

Age 19-242%

25-3433%

35-44 39%

45-5418%

55-646%

Over 652%

Previous Education

Unknown11%

Below Level 286%

Level 2 or above3%

Deprivation Postcode Uplift84%

Means Tested Fee Waive93%

Support Needs

6 in every 100 students requires some form of additional support.

NB figures are approximatefrom WEA Y&H_EPS data

Organisations we work with

• Schools• Children's Centres• Community Organisations• Charitable Organisations• Physical and Mental Health Organisations

Partnership Models• Management Partnership - WEA delivers the

course and is responsible for its recruitment administration. The Partner supplies the venue.

• Delivery-only Partnership - The partner carries out the administration and recruitment and the venue. WEA only delivers the course.

• Floating Partnership – WEA delivers the course and shares the recruitment and administration with their partner. The venue is supplied by a separate third party.

TASK 2: Categorise the organisations by partnership type

Wentworth Rise School Delivery-only Partnership

St Marks Community Group Delivery-only Partnership

Local Charity Floating Partnership

Wellcare Centre Delivery-only Partnership

Children's Centre Management Partnership

TASK 3: Place our learners with their most appropriate delivery model

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Is there an optimal partnership model?Partner Retention Achievement Success

Primary School 96% 93% 89%Local Charity 96% 92% 88%Children's Centre 85% 97% 83%St Mark's - Community Group 85% 91% 78%Wellcare Centre - Mental Health Org.* 81% 97% 78%

Partner Retention Achievement SuccessPrimary School 90% 91% 81%Local Charity 91% 83% 75%Children's Centre 84% 91% 76%Community Group 88% 92% 81%Phys. & Mental Health Orgs* 81% 97% 78%

Average for Partner Type

Conclusion

• Raising awareness of WEA ESOL• Exploration of ESOL in the community• Complexity of teaching/learning in other

contexts• ESOL in the community has to be responsive

to the context

Questions

Marie Leadbittermleadbitter@wea.org.uk07833 239521

For further discussion or more information please contact either

Sarah Frances Lundsarah.lund@sheffield.ac.uk sarahflund.wordpress.com