Individuals with ESOL needs may come from one of four broad groups: people from settled communities living in Britain; spouses, partners and dependents of British or EU citizens; migrant workers; and, refugees and asylum seekers.
These learners include people who are highly educated, have had professional careers and are highly skilled. ESOL learners also include people who have very little or no English and some people, depending on country of origin, who have not had a basic education or whose education has been disrupted due to civil war or unrest. It is this last group whose needs are addressed in this factsheet.
8 December 2025
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets London learners at an event for adults’ access to essential skills learning
On Wednesday 3 December, Learning and Work Institute was delighted to welcome their patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to an event in London about essential skills for learning and life, like literacy, numeracy and digital.
8 October 2025
Ambition skills: toward a lifelong learning century
‘Ambition skills: toward a lifelong learning century’ is the final report produced as part of our Ambition Skills programme of work. It finds that achieving world-class skills could boost the economy by £22 billion.
8 September 2025
International Literacy Day 2025: (It’s still) time for action
Marking International Literacy Day 2025, L&W Deputy Director Alex Stevenson reflects again on the state of play on adult literacy. Spoiler alert – the positives are harder to see.
28 May 2025
Channel 4, Make UK and the National Housing Federation join new campaign to “get the nation learning”
A coalition of organisations including broadcaster Channel 4, manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, and the National Housing Federation have pledged to “get the nation learning” as a new report demonstrates that when adults learn, our society and economy thrive.
16 May 2025
New expert group calls for strengthened resit policy and reversal of English and maths study requirement for adult apprentices
A new coalition of teaching and policy experts, including L&W, is calling on the Government to aim for at least 90% of 19-year-olds to achieve Level 2 English and maths by 2030.
11 February 2025
Responding to the Government’s apprenticeship reforms
L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the apprenticeship reforms announced by the Government on 11 February 2025.
6 January 2025
Skills inequalities are larger in the UK than in other countries and are holding back growth, new report warns
New research from L&W finds the UK has larger gaps in workforce skills between different parts of the country than most other European countries.
11 December 2024
Review of English language acquisition in the West Midlands
This research for the West Midlands Combined Authority explored how adults can be supported to progress in English language learning and how strategic partnerships can contribute to improved outcomes for learners.
10 December 2024
Responding to the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)
L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the findings of the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) on 10 December 2024.
