We've been named a finalist for the AoC 2024/25 Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). This national recognition acknowledges and celebrates the college’s innovative teaching and tailored support services that empower ESOL students to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Our dedicated staff have gone above and beyond to create an environment where students not only improve their English but also gain confidence and experience to help prepare them for their futures. Many learners start with informal and community language classes and are then progressed to accredited learning at the college’s Adams campus.
Linda McDonald, Head of Faculty for ESOL at Nottingham College, said: “We are thrilled to be AoC finalists in The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL as this new category had over 30 applications!
“It recognises the many years of collaborative work between ESOL and BEGIN, ensuring that ESOL learners across Nottingham City and County get the best service possible. Working with BEGIN has allowed us to develop valuable partnerships across the City with other providers like NEST, BELONG, Refugee Forum, Catch 22, Integrate Education, the local authorities and East Midlands Councils to name a few.
We are also proud of our ESOL + initiative which provides teenagers and adults the chance to undertake a non-accredited vocational course in areas like science, motor vehicle, hair and beauty and more. This develops their language skills and confidence to transition to vocational study or work in the future.
We are one of the largest providers of pre-entry provision and our recent initiatives of classroom volunteers, lunchtime reading clubs and the out of class 'Read and Learn' project was a key feature of our successful AOC bid, having demonstrated measurable positive impact on student progress.”
This achievement is a testament to the hard work of Nottingham College staff and students alike, highlighting the transformative power of education in breaking down barriers.
