Home Page Breaking the Language Barriers is the report of the working group on English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). The report addresses the needs of learners who, because it is not their first language, need to develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. These learners are currently included within the seven million people in this country who have difficulties with basic skills. However their primary learning need is not literacy or numeracy but English language skills. The full report is available below for you to browse or download. The summary of the report is also available on the site, together with a copy of the initial Government reponse to the report's ten main recommendations. Contents 1. Introduction Part 1: The scale of need 2. The range of potential ESOL learners 3. The scale of need 4. The impact of lack of fluency in English Part 2: Access and provision 5. Current provision 6. Barriers to access and learning 7. Developing a strategy Part 3: Quality and quality assurance 8. Introduction 9. Standards 10. Curriculum 11. Accreditation 12. Teacher training 13. Inspection Annexes Terms of Reference and Group Membership Initial Government Response

Click here to go to Lifelong Learning or the DFEE Website. This page was last updated on the 13th October 2000.