What have we done so far?

1998 – The Glasgow ESOL Forum was established
2000 –A survey of ESOL provision in Glasgow was carried out (see ‘The Glasgow ESOL Survey’ published by Scottish Enterprise)
2002 –The ESOL Forum hosted a national ESOL conference from 28th- 30th June at the University of Strathclyde on behalf of the UK teaching association “National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages” (NATECLA)
2002 –The Volunteer Tutor Project was launched
2003 –A nationwide training needs analysis of ESOL practitioners was conducted
2004 –The Glasgow ESOL Forum became incorporated and obtained charitable status. It is now a company limited by guarantee with charitable status
2004 –A national pilot of the PDA: ESOL Literacies, Teaching Adults was delivered
2005 –The PDA: ESOL Literacies was accredited by SQA and launched
2006 –The Glasgow ESOL Forum received funding to deliver a new project and the Workplace ESOL Project was launched in August of this year
2007 –New funding to continue the Volunteer Tutor Project until December 2009 was secured from Esmee Fairbairn and The Big Lottery.
2008 –The Workplace ESOL Project secured funding until March 2011 under the Scottish Government Race Religion and Refugee Integration Fund
GESOLF has also organised the following:

• Several training courses for volunteer tutors to introduce them to basic English teaching techniques (which run at Anniesland College, Langside College and Glasgow University).
• A series of training workshops to cascade knowledge of ESOL Literacies to practioners
• A fast track training course for qualified ESOL tutors preparing them to work as volunteers
• Training events covering a range of topics including pronunciation, examinations and assessment, listening skills, the place of grammar in the classroom, numeracy, multi-level class management, storytelling with ESOL learners, using ILPs and cultural awareness