South Thames College Group Case Study
Hello and welcome to the Pearson ESOL blog. This is the third of our case studies, shared with South Thames College Group. I would like to thank Vanessa Lister from South Thames College Group for their help and support with this case study.
Our provision
Our ESOL qualifications help learners whose first language isn’t English develop the language skills they need for everyday life, further study and work. These courses help students improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing so they can communicate confidently in their communities and workplaces. ESOL qualifications also promotes inclusion and equal opportunities, helping learners integrate into society, access public services, and participate more fully in their local community. For many students, they provide a pathway to other academic or vocational courses at the college, enabling students to progress and achieve their long-term goals.
We offer two face-to-face pathways for learners in classroom setting. Adult learners can study Entry 1 to Level 2, with six guided learning hours each week over an eleven-week programme. For 16-19-year-old learners, we offer provision from Entry 2 to Level 1. Learners at Entry 2 and Entry 3 receive 12 teaching hours per week for ESOL alongside GCSE maths. At Level 1, learners have eight teaching hours per week for ESOL and study 1-2 GCSEs plus a BTEC.
A learner-centred approach, rooted in real-life communication, works well for our learners. Lessons are interactive with group work, discussions and role-play to build confidence in speaking and listening. For reading and writing, we use authentic materials such as forms, signs, workplace documents, emails and notices. This approach helps learners develop all four core language skills in meaningful contexts, preparing them to communicate effectively in everyday life, further education and employment.
We provide a range of support to help learners succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Our student support can help with housing, careers guidance and counselling. Learners can also take part in extracurricular activities such as fundraising events, educational trips and community projects which build confidence and strengthen social skills. In addition, we encourage learners to use Microsoft Teams for independent study and communication, giving them easy access to resources, opportunities to collaborate with peers, and develop digital skills that support both learning and employability.
Our learners
Our learners study ESOL to become more integrated into their local community, find employment or progress into further education. They come from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, including learners seeking asylum and those who have moved to the UK for work.
Case Study: Habiba (ESOL 16-19 years learner)
Habiba joined our level 1 ESOL Horizons course in 2023, aged 16 after moving to the UK from Syria to live with family. She was very hard working achieving her Level 1 ESOL exam and GCSE maths. Within her first year, she also took GCSE Business and Psychology. After completing ESOL, Habiba progressed to full-time GCSEs and was successful enough to secure a place on an access course in science. This year, she hopes to go to university to study pharmacy.
Our learners can face a range of barriers to learning. At lower levels, some may have literacy issues which can make reading and writing particularly challenging. Personal circumstances can also affect attendance and engagement, including work commitments, childcare responsibilities, financial pressures and mental and physical health issues. Limited access to technology can be a further barrier.
The impact of ESOL
ESOL programmes helps them with learner-centred teaching and a supportive, structured curriculum. Lessons are designed to build confidence as well as language skills. ESOL classes create a sense of belonging for students and an inclusive environment where they can learn, socialise and adapt to society. ESOL helps learners to develop essential communication skills, particularly in speaking, listening, reading and writing. These skills are transferable and support learners in many areas of their lives. ESOL not only improves their overall literacy skills by developing their language it helps build their confidence, supporting progression into training, further study or work.
Case Study: Pejman (Adult ESOL student)
Pejman moved to the UK from Iran on his own and was later joined by his wife and young son. He started at Kingston College in 2020, joining our Pre-Entry class and successfully progressed through to Level 2. When he completed his programme, he secured a role with Southwestern Railway as a Station Officer. He has since gone on to take his GCSEs in English and Maths.
Our learners develop well when lessons are practical, interactive and relevant to real-life situations. Using real-world topics help learners to see the value of what they are learning. Learners also learn life skills such as writing CVs, filling out applications and participating in interviews, giving learners the tools they need to succeed in the workplace. We also gather regular learner feedback to ensure our offer is the best it can be.
Pearson ESOL
Pearson ESOL is a high-quality, internationally recognised qualification. The exam is well-structured with clearly defined levels. It also provides the opportunity for learners to re-sit exams within our very tight 11-week timeframe.