The Outreach Team: Engaging ESOL
Outreach workshops with adult ESOL learners
UK Parliament's Outreach Team have developed their work with ESOL learners across the UK.
Working with tutors, they have adapted sessions for different levels focusing on key language, speaking and listening skills.
South West
Tom, South West Outreach Officer
Tom, South West Outreach Officer
Diverse learning
During UK Parliament Week, Tom, our South West Outreach Officer, ran two workshops for ESOL learners at Adult Education In Gloucestershire.
The workshops were informative and relevant to people's lives, including how petitions can affect laws and how to contact your local MP.
There were 40 learners from over 10 countries with diverse backgrounds and language levels.
"I thought it was a great talk at a really suitable pace and very interesting for our learners."
Tailored activities
The sessions were tailored to the level of the ESOL group and included activities to support their learning, including:
- Completing exercises to support with reading and writing
- Role play, where students could act out forming a government and opposition
- Discussions about issues that are important to them to support speaking and listening skills
- Finding out the name of their MP.
These activities provoked some interesting questions and discussions about democracy and governments in different countries.
Questions included what the government is doing to improve education in the country and who is the current Minister for Education.
What did the learners enjoy?
Here are just some of the things the learners said about the session:
"I learnt how to communicate with my local MP."
"I didn't have much knowledge about the parliament and how it works so it was very helpful and I got lots of information."
"I never knew normal people can visit the Parliament buildings. You cannot do that in my country."
East Midlands
Accessible presentation
Outreach Officer for the East Midlands, Malcolm, regularly delivers to ESOL learners across the region.
"Delivering sessions for ESOL groups is always rewarding as learners find all aspects of UK Parliament fascinating.
"Learners are often surprised that they have the right to contact their MP and sign Parliament Petitions and they like the way we explain the workings of Parliament in an accessible way."
Malcolm, East Midlands Outreach Officer
Malcolm, East Midlands Outreach Officer
Exploring cultural connections
He has recently worked with ESOL learners from Leicestershire Adult Learning Service as well as Derby College. Learners used images and key words to match new language to pictures of Parliament.
"This was valuable for our students, as they learned how the democratic process and British Values impact their daily lives.
"The students actively participated in role-play as Prime Ministers and MPs, sparking discussions about the UK and their home countries."
South East
Kerrie, South East Outreach Officer
Kerrie, South East Outreach Officer
Meeting with MPs
In the South East during UK Parliament Week 2024, Kerrie worked with Farnborough College to see students on many different pathways: FE, HE and ESOL. She ran a blend of in person and digital sessions.
This enabled students to learn about Parliament, to link the learning to British Values, and to meet their MP for Aldershot, Alex Baker.
Over 40 adult ESOL students came to the talk and then listened to their MP. For many, this was their first time meeting an elected representative.
Learners fed back on how open and transparent the Parliamentary system was.
Alex Baker MP speaking to ESOL learners at Farnborough College
Alex Baker MP speaking to ESOL learners at Farnborough College
North West
Rachael visited Werneth Park and Coldhurst Learning Centres to deliver ESOL workshops.
Both groups were really engaged and enjoyed using pictures and labels to find out about Parliament as well as using their mobiles to access their MP's webpage to find out how to contact them.
"One lady said she was so grateful that I had taken the time to visit them as she had learnt so much - she didn't know who her MP was, never mind how to contact him."
North West and Yorkshire & Humber Outreach Officer
North West and Yorkshire & Humber Outreach Officer
Participants using their phones to find out how to contact their MP
Participants using their phones to find out how to contact their MP
The learners felt supported by Rachael throughout the session:
"Rachael is excellent at what she does and always tailors the workshop to learners needs."
Rachael is looking forward to working with other ESOL groups in the future as part of her Outreach.
"I love that we can help so many people through our work."
What we offer
Our Outreach team deliver sessions to schools and community groups all over the country, all year round. Our ESOL sessions are part of our current community programme.
If you're an educator or community leader, find out more about what we offer and request a session.
Community groups (including ESOL)
- Free workshops, events and training to community, ESOL and youth groups, in person and online
- EMPOWER! workshops, for adults with learning disabilities, tailored to the needs of your group.
Schools and colleges
- Free assemblies in schools and colleges to teach young people about the UK Parliament and its work, tailored to primary and secondary level
- SEND workshops - sensory based sessions aimed at pre-curriculum age students between 7 - 19 years old.
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