English for Speakers of other languages

Friday sessions

We are currently running weekly sessions for speakers of languages other than English, who would like to improve their knowledge and skills in the English language. We have a team of voluntary tutors (all professionally qualified) who teach small groups or individuals, using materials and approaches relevant to their needs. We are lucky to be able to use the excellent premises in the upper room of the Co op Bank in High Street, Colchester, every Friday afternoon for our sessions. We offer a friendly welcome and useful teaching and learning opportunities in a pleasant environment.

We hope to offer these sessions throughout the year, with a break in the month of August.

English Language Sessions with RAMA (Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action)

Since May 2023, we have been working in collaboration with RAMA clients who are currently unable to access mainstream ESOL sessions. Two sessions per week have been offered and clients have worked in small groups or individually with EEO tutors and volunteers to improve basic English literacy and conversational skills. The aim was to help clients prepare to join mainstream classes at local FE/AE providers in September. The teaching accommodation was provided at the Colchester Co-op Bank, which has a strong commitment to supporting local community groups.

Twelve clients, mostly asylum seekers, have attended regularly with additional people coming once or twice. Some clients were moved to different locations in the UK at little notice and for others the accommodation in hotels at some distance from the town centre has resulted in sporadic attendance.

There are plans to offer two sessions per week in September to continue this support for RAMA clients and the wider ESL community who wish to access employment and educational opportunities through developing their command of English.

EEO courses during Covid Pandemic

Our activities have continued, though face-to-face contact with groups and individuals had to be suspended. The use of Zoom has enabled us to run the following courses and support sessions as virtual meetings:

OET preparation Course - March/ April 2021

This was a short course for a group of NHS employees, currently working as Health Care Assistants, who have nursing qualifications from abroad. They are required to gain a qualification in English in order to register with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) and work as registered nurses in the UK. The course focused on preparing applicants for the Occupational English Test.

Individual remote English language support - April 2020 – May 2021

Ongoing support has been provided for two Chinese doctors, who had previously attended a clinical placement at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals. They intend to take the IELTS test in order to return to the UK for a two year fellowship programme.

English assessment for visiting Chinese medical professionals (May/June)

Interviews and English assessments have been arranged for another group of Chinese doctors and nurses who are due to come under the same scheme as above. These will be carried out remotely, as the date of the visits cannot be confirmed because of uncertainties relating to the pandemic.

Guidance sessions for clients of Refugee Action Colchester.(April 2020 – ongoing)

One-to-one support and guidance has been provided for RA-C clients seeking to enter employment in the UK. Varying levels of assistance have been provided, such as: identification of short and long term goals, discussion of clients’ most urgent needs, advice and information about job search and/or accessing education and training.