Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 11 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase availability of English as a second or other language (ESOL) classes in the Greater Glasgow area, in light of reports that lack of availability is causing challenges for people who require at least a B1 level of English to access employability, social security and other support.
The Scottish Government recognises the vital role English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) plays in supporting people whose first language is not English, equipping them with the communication skills necessary to contribute and integrate economically, culturally and socially in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is committed to ESOL and welcomed the independent review of community learning and development (CLD) which followed with a report, Learning: For All. For Life report. The report provided 20 recommendations, including on ESOL, varying in complexity and scope.
The Scottish Government and CoSLA accepted recommendation 1.1 to set up a joint CLD Strategic Leadership Group (SLG). The SLG will play a central role in developing our detailed response to the remaining recommendations.
This academic year, Scottish Government provided £500k for ESOL in Glasgow. This is in response to the review report calling for immediate action to address the exceptional pressures and need for ESOL, which disproportionately impacts Glasgow.
I have also written to the Scottish Funding Council with supplementary guidance to ensure ESOL remains a priority for colleges in the forthcoming academic year 2025-26.
Colleges are responsible for decisions on course provision and are best placed to respond flexibly to local ESOL need alongside partners including local authorities and the third sector. Local authorities themselves play an important role in delivering their CLD Plans, which supports the provision of community based ESOL.