A face-to-face ESOL forum for Lincolnshire ESOL providers. Register here for a FREE ticket. Come and network with colleagues in your area.

AGENDA

Lincolnshire ESOL forum 22nd October 2026.

Location: Lincoln College (Gibney Building G002)

1.Welcome & Introductions (MB)

MESH are chairing this meeting temporarily (the role of chair is up for discussion)

2.Regional Update (NO)

Updates from the EMC Strategic Migration Partnership

3.MESH updates (MB)

MESH to give updates on the LEEM website and other ESOL development work in the region

4.Local Provider Updates (all)

Each ESOL provider to give a brief update on classes, project, positives, challenges

5.Training opportunities (all/NO)

Providers to share any training they are hosting, or have become aware of

6.Funding opportunities (all/NO)

Providers to share any training they are hosting, or have become aware of

7.Collaboration opportunities (all)

(inc gaps/coverage of classes)

break

8.Discussion - the state of ESOL in Lincolnshire (MB)

Lincolnshire withdrawal of ESOL Skills for Life qualifications from September 2027, with a proposed replacement being Functional Skills English

How can a qual designed for native English speakers with low literacy be adapted to suit ESOL learners? Will it be supplemented by "bolt-on" qualifications?

There are fears this change will negatively affect learner achievement, progression and the quality of language teaching. What will be the impact on migrants once funding stops?

What kind of learner will Functional Skills qualifications be a benefit to? (they are valued by employers and could potentially improve employment opportunities for some)

9.Discussion about mutual support in Lincolnshire (MB)

How can the country-wide ESOL sector support Lincolnshire, as it is the first area in the country to experience such swingeing changes?

How can Lincolnshire share experiences with other areas in the country who are starting to face similar challenges?

The NATECLA question. What would the benefit be of potentially having an East Mids branch of NATECLA? (currently, it is a very West-heavy Midlands branch). Or should more Lincs providers join the Midlands branch?

10.This forum (MB)

What direction should the forum go?

Who to invite as a guest speaker next time? Potentially have someone from the DWP come in and ask what they think the impact no ESOL classes will have on the region? Or does the forum want to have someone from NATECLA come and share their resources?

Who is missing from the forum invite list? Should wider stakeholders be here?

11.AOB

Date of next meeting

END

Description supplied by the event organiser.