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 Thursday 1 December 2022
 Welcome to Devon’s first English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) newsletter
Over the past 18 months, Devon has welcomed – among others - more than 2,000 refugees from Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine; migrant workers from the Philippines, Nigeria and India; and more than 300 asylum seekers from more than 20 countries. The fact that many of these new arrivals are living in rural Devon has highlighted the shortage of English language learning opportunities in many parts of the county.
Further Education colleges, Learn Devon, community organisations and volunteer teachers have all responded positively and there are currently more English language classes on offer around Devon than ever before.
This newsletter aims to share information with:
- English language teachers, whether paid or volunteering, qualified and experienced or new to English language teaching.
- anyone involved in supporting refugees, migrant workers or asylum seekers in Devon.
- sponsors who are hosting refugees and want to help their guests to learn.
- English language learners.
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email ESOL@devon.gov.uk.
Upcoming Events
Free Workshop for ESOL Volunteers
Trauma Toolkit
We warmly invite all ESOL volunteers and practitioners to a workshop on 12 December at Room 3B, Barnstaple Library, Tuly Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1EL at 6.00pm. This is the first of a series of workshops we are excited to be putting on throughout the county.
This will be a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and take part in a workshop on trauma led by clinical psychologist Adam Morgan, focusing on how to support students in the classroom.
If you'd like to come along, please contact ESOL@devon.gov.uk to let us know. We look forward to meeting you there.
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Free Online Training for School Staff
Healing Classrooms
The International Rescue Committee is delighted to offer its free Healing Classrooms training programme to schools across Devon. The three-part programme takes place online and draws on over 40 years’ experience of working with displaced children. The sessions cover how to provide safe and supportive learning environments for refugee students in your school alongside practical advice on how to incorporate social-emotional learning and trauma informed pedagogy into the curriculum. The first session will take place on Tuesday 31st January at 4pm, with the following sessions on 7th February and 21st February. To register for the free training please click here – Register here.
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Learning English Website Update
Visit our Learning English website, a hub for all things ESOL in Devon, to find:
- An interactive map showing English language classes in your area
- Teaching and learning resources for both teachers and learners
- Information about online English classes
- Information about job opportunities and career pathways
- Advice for sponsors
It’s a work-in-progress but we are gradually adding more links and more resources.
If you have suggestions for how we can improve the pages, or information or resources that you would like to share, please email us at ESOL@devon.go.uk.
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Employment and Careers
Opportunities for learners to gain skills and improve their employability.
Train 4 Tomorrow: Digital and Technical Skills Bootcamp
Join a free Skills for Life Bootcamp and improve your digital and technical skills. These courses are suitable if you already have higher level qualifications, skills or experience and want to improve.
Courses include software development, digital marketing and working with electric vehicles.
Email train4tomorrow@devon.gov.uk to find out more or look at their website.
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Learn Devon
Learn Devon runs Employability courses to help you gain confidence and interview skills when applying for work.
Learn Devon also offers HSSAP Courses (Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme) including Leadership and Management, Coaching and Mentoring, Wellbeing, Digital Skills and Mental Health.
To enrol, visit Learn Devon’s website, phone them on 01392 223 851 or email HSSAP@learndevon.co.uk.
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Exeter Works
Exeter Works is a partnership between Exeter City Council and Exeter Chamber. It offers training opportunities to improve employment skills as well as job opportunities. This includes support and advice from a community of Greater Exeter’s businesses and organisations.
Book an appointment and visit the hub in Exeter to get work and careers and advice. The hub is located at Princesshay, Dix’s Field, Exeter, EX1 1GF.
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Workers' Educational Association
The WEA is offering nationally recognised qualifications to help you gain a job, everyday skills or career promotion. You can get free qualifications in as little as 85 hours. Courses are online so you can study at home.
Call 0300 303 3464 or complete the form at Contact us | WEA to find out more.
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Children's Learning and Support
EMTAS (Ethnic Minority Traveller Achievement Service)
EMTAS is a dedicated team at Devon County Council who support all children with English as an additional language (EAL), including refugees and asylum seekers. They can support children's learning and provide advice and guidance to schools.
Email schooleffectiveness@devon.gov.uk for more information.
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Devon Ukrainian Association (DUA)
The DUA is offering packages to schools that include10 online classes/support sessions with a Ukrainian speaking teacher for small groups of children. This includes English learning as well as mentoring and advice on coping with school.
Contact olya@dua.org.uk to find out more.
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Learn Devon Courses
Learn Devon delivers high quality ESOL courses, both through local centres offering face-to-face learning and countywide via our online learning platform.
The Learn Devon ESOL programme supports learners to secure better outcomes for themselves, both in terms of language development and social integration. Our Gateway accredited courses enable learners to achieve qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2 in the various ESOL skill areas of speaking & listening, reading and writing – all taught by highly skilled tutors.
We have recently started offering the ‘Award in Living and Working in the UK’ to enable learners to have increased confidence and ability to deal well with everyday situations: access to healthcare, education, schools and involvement in the community.
We are also offering our ‘Welcome to the UK’ course for new arrivals to enable learners to understand more about life in the UK and to feel more settled into their new environment.
All of our courses provide clear progression routes onto other courses, enabling learners to develop their employability and digital skills, alongside courses to support their wellbeing.
Learn Devon can also adapt courses for Ukrainian learners, so please get in touch to discuss your specific needs.
More information can be found on our website.
Help for Sponsors
Help your Guests with their English
Christian TEFL is offering a free online course to help sponsors assist Ukrainian guests with learning English.
To find out more and sign up, please look on their website.
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English for Health
For all ESOL teachers out there, there are some great resources available online for teaching about health. Learning English in Bristol offers an excellent, open access syllabus with full lesson plans on English for Health, ranging from describing illnesses to registering with a GP. Access the resources here.
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ESOL Initiatives in Devon
Each edition of this newsletter will feature examples of interesting ESOL initiatives taking place in Devon.
Tavistock
Tavistock and Ukrainian Friends are running some great ESOL initiatives with the help of dedicated volunteers. On Saturdays, there are Family Learning Sessions at the Alexander Centre where adults can take part in classes at different levels, while their children take part in fun craft activities.
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On Wednesdays after school, a Homework Club has recently started at the Printworks. This is a great opportunity for children to get support with their English and homework, as well as spending time with friends and playing games. Recently, the group had great fun celebrating one of the children's birthdays. |
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Exeter
Co Create ran a very popular English and Pottery workshop in October. Led by a specialist pottery tutor, this ran over four weeks and gave participants the opportunity to learn a range of pottery techniques, while learning and practising English.
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The group learned to make mugs, pots, lids and vases and they were able to choose two of their creations to keep. It was a brilliant opportunity to try a new activity, expand their English knowledge and meet new people. |
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If you're running an interesting initiative for refugees or asylum seekers in Devon, we'd love to hear about it so please get in touch at ESOL@devon.gov.uk to let us know more.
Volunteers Wanted
Are you interested in volunteering to help teach English to refugees?
We want to build a network of volunteer English teachers around the county so that we can help to support refugees, even in rural areas. Experienced teachers are particularly welcome.
We are looking for volunteers everywhere, but we are particularly interested in hearing from volunteers in Braunton, Ilfracombe, Exmouth, Newton Abbot, Lynton and Parracombe.
If you are interested in getting involved or are already part of a local community initiative, please get in touch by emailing ESOL@devon.gov.uk.
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