Funding awarded to Rochdale Council for community-based English language classes

Rochdale Council has secured funding for more Talk English classes

Rochdale Council has secured government funding to run a future 'Talk English' programme of English language classes and activities to help residents with little or no written or spoken English.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced £5.1 million for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for Integration Fund for classes and language learning activities in 30 areas across England.

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration, business, skills and employment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to have received this funding, which will allow us to enhance our Talk English service, which has supported 3,200 learners since it was set up in 2014.

“By supporting people to learn English, this service gives residents vital skills which enable them to play a bigger role in their community, the local economy or labour market, and the wider borough. It has also enabled 300 people to train as volunteers, some of whom now have formal teaching qualifications.

“This funding will allow us to support a further 150 people, in a variety of different community settings and online.”

The tailored language lessons will be delivered in familiar and accessible community buildings such as community centres and places of worship in a socially distant way, or online, via apps, with digital laptop libraries and one-to-one learner support.

The most recent Census (2011) found that 770,000 people that live in England speak little or no English.

Since 2013 over 100,000 places have been made available to help isolated adults improve their English language proficiency and build their self-confidence through community-based programmes.

Lack of English skills presents a clear barrier to social and economic mobility. For some learners more formal approaches to learning English can be challenging.

The most common difficulties are travel costs, lack of childcare, illiteracy in their first language, digital exclusion or a reluctance or lack of confidence to make the first steps towards learning English.

Community-based tuition is proven to be a highly effective means of engaging people who are in greatest need of support and may not have previously taken steps to learn English.

Communities Minister Rt Hon Robert Jenrick said: “We are committed to levelling up and uniting our country. And a successful, well integrated society requires everyone to be able to speak English. This funding will provide language classes to thousands of people, so they become fully integrated and active members of society, making a positive contribution to the UK.”