ESOL Success

It has been another successful year for the York College learners studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Around seventy learners, from eighteen different nationalities, celebrated success in Speaking and Listening , as well as Reading and Writing qualifications, at a special awards ceremony held at Clarence Gardens.

Hugh Bayley, MP for York, presented the learners with their certificates and was able to speak to them all, giving them an insight into the life of an MP, which they found particularly useful as part of the citizenship curriculum.

Said Diana Macintosh, ESOL tutor: “It was lovely to see so many happy faces at the ESOL awards celebration. These learners have many other demands on their time, including taking second and third jobs to keep afloat in the recession. They have all worked extremely hard and deserve recognition for their efforts.”

Hugh Bayley says: "We live in a global world. A lot of people from York work abroad, and we need skilled workers from abroad in the health service, for example, and elsewhere. It is very important that people coming to live in this country learn to speak English. It is one of the most important ways to integrate. It is good to see York College responding to this need by providing this course, and great to see so many people learning our language”.

Press Release: 06/10/09