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Home Learning Project
The Home Learning Project in London provides qualified volunteer teachers to give home-based one-to-one English language tuition and support for refugees unable to access mainstream classes.
The project recently expanded with funding from Big Lottery. For more information about the project, its success and its future, please contact Rosemary Ward
Identifying an issue
Lack of English language is consistently identified as a major barrier to integration and employment. Refugees and asylum seekers can face other barriers to the English classes themselves: physical disability, injury or mental health problems as a result of their experiences can hinder access, attendance or their experience in the classroom. They may also be caring for a family as a single parent or single themselves and lacking a support network to help them find and attend classes. Many refugees also have no experience of mixed-gender classrooms, or may lack confidence in learning situations in the UK.
The solution
Over a two-year period, Refugee Support was funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to develop and deliver the Home Learning Project. Vulnerable refugees who face difficulties accessing mainstream provision, learned practical English through qualified volunteers offering flexible one-to-one support in the learners’ homes. The project aimed to facilitate independent living, future access to classroom learning and combat isolation, loneliness and exclusion.
Evaluation
Achievements
- 18 learners provided with ESOL tuition and support in their own homes (or at other convenient locations).
- 16 learners completed 6 months of learning
- 6 learners moved on to ESOL class – more were ready but haven’t found one they can attend.
- 39 qualified volunteer ESOL home tutors recruited, trained and supported.
- Best practice model relating to home ESOL learning for hard-to-reach refugee learners developed.
Excerpts from the independent evaluation report
“All learners who took part in the evaluation were overwhelmingly positive about their teachers. This was also apparent in the amount of learning that took place. Achievements were noted for all learners: in vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading and writing.”
“All learners who took part in the evaluation felt their lives had changed, and gave very individual reasons: from understanding train timetables to being able to write their name. This kind of individual success would have been difficult to achieve in a classroom setting; and some of these changes were actually in learners’ attitudes to classroom learning itself.”
“As well as specific improvements in communication: discussing and reporting repairs, or contacting the police, there were general changes in behaviour and confidence. Learners found it easier to travel on their own, go shopping and use money. “
“Some learners went on to start ESOL classes, and others are waiting for a space to come up.”
The Home Learning Project is now due to expand, with funding from Big Lottery. For more information about the project, its success and its future, please contact Duncan Wilson
By giving up some of their time to help us build on the good work we do, volunteers make a real difference to people’s lives.
Both the DR LES and Home Learning Projects were supported by volunteers.
Does volunteering interest you?
People like me
Zyad completed the DR LES project in Derby. Read his story
Service user fun day
