East Midlands Councils (EMC) is working with Migrant English Support Hub (MESH) to undertake a comprehensive review of English Language provision in the East Midlands, as part of its delivery of the Government’s English Language support programme.

This project will evaluate existing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services, assess learner outcomes, pinpoint gaps in service delivery, and provide recommendations for improvements.

Through existing work within the ESOL sector, EMC is conscious that the support for refugees and asylum seekers differs greatly across the region, with many more rural areas lacking the necessary infrastructure to offer comprehensive ESOL support.

This evaluative exercise will allow EMC to better understand the varying levels of ESOL provision across the region, assess delivery and outcomes, and formulate recommendations on where and how this needs to be improved and resources better directed.

Migrant English Support Hub (MESH) brings invaluable expertise to this partnership, having previously conducted similar work in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

As part of the project, MESH will engage with asylum seekers and refugees, local councils, and voluntary and community sector organisations involved in ESOL, capturing their lived experiences and perspectives on the English Language provision in their area.

The final evaluation report will present findings and recommendations, addressing areas such as under-served communities, gaps in provision, barriers to access, and the specific training needs of asylum seekers and refugees.