With almost 10 percent of Dundee’s population born out-with the United Kingdom (Scottish Census, 2011), Dundee is truly a diverse city. The international population come to Dundee to work, study, join family members and as refugees. English language learning plays a crucial role in the integration of all migrants and assists these citizens to gain language skills. This helps them to participate more fully in personal, work, family and community life.

Local authorities carry out English speakers of other language learners (ESOL) activity funded through core teaching budgets. In addition, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) allocates funding from the Scottish Government to colleges to work with local partners to support the Government’s Adult ESOL strategy. The funding provides additional ESOL activity in the community for migrants who wish to improve their English.

The Dundee ESOL Partnership is a progressive and empowering partnership between Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Dundee and Angus College and Dundee International Women’s Centre. Its function is to ensure the delivery of quality, community-based ESOL provision across the area.

The improvement issue

In 2018, Dundee City Council commissioned a review of the Dundee ESOL partnership to:

• better understand the needs of ESOL learners across the city in developing language skills, and around support to integrate into Dundee life
• review community based ESOL provision in the city in light of new local and national strategic guidance, and as a result of changes to funding arrangements for ESOL partnerships
• develop a better understanding of the wider roles of each of the partners in supporting the development of language skills, community involvement and cultural awareness
• reduce duplication across the providers and create more streamlined provision suited to the identified needs of the learners
• raise awareness of opportunities and identify resources to support provision; and
• strengthen integrated ways of working across the Dundee ESOL Partnership, and to identify pathways and progression routes for ESOL learners.

The review found that while each provider had particular strengths in terms of their skills, expertise and experience, it was noticeable that they were providing essentially the same classes. Partners needed to work together to develop better pathways and seamless transitions for ESOL learners in the city.

The need for collaboration has continued, as new challenges have arisen. Since the inception of the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Scheme, community based ESOL has been in an ongoing process of change. Changes to migration patterns arising from Brexit, the impact of Afghan and Ukrainian resettlement, and efforts to relocate unaccompanied asylum-seeking children means that the profile and needs of learners continues to change. There is a wide recognition across partners that services must adapt in line with these changes. In addition, the pandemic led to many people losing jobs. Some of the companies and industries in which many people worked no longer exist, and many adults require support to build the skills they need to move back into current employment opportunities. Since the pandemic, ESOL partners have also found that an increasing number of clients are requesting community based ESOL support.

What Dundee City Council did

Partners are working collaboratively across the city and online to support learners’ needs and their progression into further learning, employment and community life. Through the delivery of targeted adult ESOL and community development support, CLD is contributing to the city’s Humanitarian Response.

• ESOL classes are not ring-fenced to particular nationalities or humanitarian funding streams, which is helping learners to build relationships across cultures and promote integration.
• A city-wide focus is ensuring that learners are able to learn at an appropriate level with the appropriate amount of support and challenge.
• Well-designed opportunities are based on the needs of the individual or group and offer clear progression routes for adults learning in the city.
• Similarly, our humanitarian partners work together to respond to changing priorities arising from foreign conflicts. Regular meetings and communication have led to tailored responses and ESOL provision or a focus for English language learning.

The success of the Dundee Humanitarian and ESOL partnerships is underpinned by a range of staff and leadership groupings. This is encouraging ideas from staff at all levels, which is increasing a sense of ownership in how ESOL work is designed and delivered.

What the sustained impact has been

This improved way of working with partners across Dundee is achieving a variety of outcomes for clients. Within a staff team context, it has led to independent, confident, agile staff, wider professional networks and understandings, streamlined efficient services, and professional satisfaction for those involved.

• Effective ESOL partnership working is supporting learners to move easily between providers. Learners are accessing learning that meets their goals and assists in their progression.
• Data is shared between ESOL and employability partners to enable improved tracking of progression, and to recognise and celebrate learner outcomes.
• The Dundee and Angus ESOL Partnership prioritises continuous delivery of a range of ESOL provision in community settings. This is helping to remove barriers to participation and maximise learners’ opportunities. Learners are improving their language skills, which is resulting in them gaining employment, progressing to further study, or improvements in their personal lives.
• There is continuous collaboration between all 4 providers who are sharing good practice, resources, and are adapting flexibly to learners’ needs. Partners work together to monitor attendance in the Community Outreach classes. Classes are promoted, and well resourced, to encourage the attendance of learners.
• Progression pathways are well understood by learners, and partners are clearer about their roles and responsibilities. As a result, New Scots are much more integrated into the community and have an increasing network of support.
• ESOL partners are working collaboratively to evaluate provision through the annual Dundee and Angus ESOL Learner Survey, now in its 5th year. Partners are increasingly working together to develop individual and collaborative responses
• Strategic funding has increased adult learning opportunities, including additional humanitarian funding, which is expanding essential ESOL provision for Ukrainian learners. Partnership funding for Dundee and Angus college is helping to increase the range of community-based classes provided on an outreach basis.