Council and Creative Industries to fund English language classes

Published: 17 July 2020

Following a successful bid to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Derby is to receive £300k English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) funding.

Along with other successful Council’s across the UK, Derby will be providing a variety of classes, and creative events across the city to support those with little or no English languages skills.

The funding bid was awarded to the Council’s Derby Adult Learning Service (DALS) following the design of a programme to ensure ESOL classes best meets the needs of residents in the city. The plans have been made to help support those who may feel disconnected from the wider community and allow them to improve their language skills.

DALS will be coordinating and delivering the project with support from creative local partnerships, including Derby Theatre, QUAD, Artcore, WEA; CET and several other creative and cultural organisations.

Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

Derby City Council is pleased to be working in partnership with the third sector and creative Industries to support our communities in developing their English-speaking skills. Lack of English speaking and literacy skills have a negative impact of social integration, health, wellbeing and employment. This project gives us the flexibility to find new solutions to established problems. This funding will have real impact at a time when the creative industries have been hit hard. It enables us to inject much needed funding into local organisations, as part of Derby City Council’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan. Furthermore, it’s fantastic that through this funding we will be able to offer community-based tuition, giving Derby residents an opportunity to learn in a supportive, local setting which can be best tailored to their needs.

Business, Community, Education