ESOL Update

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is vitally important for new arrivals in Leicester. Being able to read, write and engage in verbal communication using English is essential for people to fully participate in society and, especially, to gain employment.

TREC has been providing ESOL classes since the summer of 2017 and has helped hundreds of learners to improve their English. This, in turn, has enabled many people to get jobs or enter further and higher education.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 put a stop to face-to-face ESOL classes and they were suspended.

However, we are in the process of setting up an ESOL and Horticulture project called Growing Together. This will enable people to learn about growing fruit and vegetables, whilst simultaneously improving their English language abilities.

Initially, learners will receive certificates of participation but our intention is to seek accredited status for the courses.

Although the project uses horticulture as the focus, many of the topics to be covered (such as health and safety in work situation) will be of value to learners in their search for work in a variety of settings.

We plan to deliver the first few modules online and then utilise a plot of land that has been made available to us so that learners have the practical experience of growing produce.

As well as growing fruit and vegetables, learners will improve their English and develop team-working skills. Hence the project name Growing Together!