English ESOL

English ESOL

To improve equality of opportunity for Migrants to access the labour market and break down barriers to employment for people for whom English is a second or other language (ESOL).

The programme is intended to provide three significant benefits:

The classes are delivered in a supported learning environment. The participants are guided through a set of learning tasks and encouraged to support each other through:

Participants are encouraged to engage in meet-ups which help groups of people with shared interests to plan meetings and form off-line clubs in local communities, to improve their English skills in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Volunteers are an important aspect of the programme, providing support and a welcoming environment; for example, through teaching, 1:1 support for individuals, development of social media and administration.

The programme delivers classes in the Centre at the following levels:

Participants can also make use of a range of good quality language teaching material that has been gathered at BURC, to provide language practice activities for individuals who can visit the Centre for private study, autonomous learning and informal social contact.

This project allows those who need to develop their English, plus volunteers who give it time, to facilitating and teaching classes, an opportunity to be made aware of good and best practice in ESOL provision.

Its unique feature is the use of autonomous self-study, to provide structured opportunities for each individual to develop their language skills. We have developed a Self Access Centre which enables people to use a range of resources to develop their English language skills.

An Absolute Beginners Compendium has been developed and volunteers have provided support to the Ozanam Centre in Lurgan, by training volunteers locally and providing use of the compendium. This will be replicated in other areas of Northern Ireland.

The project works closely with the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Programme, providing newly arrived Syrians with language and cultural awareness skills to help them navigate the new landscape.

Nationalities attending and gaining benefit from the sessions include:

For more information please contact:

Claudia Belloni
Email: esol@burc.org  |  Phone: 028 90 961 111  |  Facebook: Click Here for the Facebook Page

For detailed information on our English Learning Programme, please visit The Belfast Programme Website by clicking the button below.

The Belfast Programme