ESOL Support Resources
The West Partnership EAL Specialist Network created the following resources to support the development of ESOL within local authorities.
ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) is an English language qualification offered by SQA that focuses on the development of language in the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. ESOL courses provide opportunities to develop language for everyday use and in work and study contexts and allows many learners with English as an Additional Language to achieve success and increase their confidence in English.
As a subject and qualification, ESOL plays an important part in ensuring that we meet the needs of our diverse student population. In line with national and local policy, ESOL delivery is a fundamental part of ensuring that we offer equitable qualification pathways to our learners.
With all Scottish universities now recognising Higher ESOL as an equivalent qualification to Higher English, ESOL is a pathway that should be available to all eligible candidates.
The West Partnership (WP) EAL Specialist Network set out with the following aims:
- To increase knowledge and understanding of ESOL policy and procedures throughout WP authorities; and
- To promote greater consistency in ESOL delivery and policy.
To meet these priorities, we have created the following resources:
- ESOL PowerPoint resource to be used within local authorities to raise awareness of the subject of ESOL and to encourage discussion on how to widen access to the ESOL qualification.
- ESOL Policy Guidance to support local authorities to create a supportive and sustainable policy for ESOL delivery.
- Headteacher Video Resource to share the views of Barry Mochan, HT at Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow, on the importance of the ESOL qualifications for the young people in this school.
Whether you are delivering ESOL for the first time in your local authority or are considering how to strengthen or streamline your policy and procedures, we hope that these resources will be helpful.
The following representatives have been members of the Specialist Network and are happy to be contacted as a local authority link:
West Partnership
Alison Drever (Alison.Drever@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk)
East Renfrewshire
Rukhsana Ali (Rukhsana.Ali@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk)
East Dunbartonshire
Martyn Cos (Martyn.Cosh@eastdunbarton.gov.uk)
Inverclyde
Eric Lindsay (eric.lindsay@inverclydeacademy.inverclyde.sch.uk)
Glasgow
Laura Goff (gw15gofflaura@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk)
North Lanarkshire
Lois Mullaney (MullaneyL@northlan.gov.uk)
Renfrewshire
Hazel Douglas (hazel.douglas@renfrewshire.school)
South Lanarkshire
Claire Bisset (Claire.Bisset@southlanarkshire.gov.uk)
West Dunbartonshire
June Johnston (June.Johnston@west-dunbarton.gov.uk)
Education Scotland
Shona Hugh (shona.hugh@educationscotland.gov.scot)
Challenge Questions
To shape your discussions, you may wish to look across many quality indicators from HGIOS 4. You might find the challenge questions below helpful.
- 2.2 Curriculum: To what extent does our curriculum promote equity and raise attainment for all children and young people?
- 2.3 Learning Teaching and Assessment: How confident are we that all learners experience activities which are varied, differentiated, active, and provide effective support and challenge?
- 3.1 Ensuring Wellbeing Equality and Inclusion: How well can we demonstrate improved attainment for groups and individuals facing barriers to learning, including poverty?
- 3.2 Raising Attainment and Achievement: How well are our approaches to raising attainment improving outcomes for children and young people?
Education Scotland. (2015). How good is our school?
