Casey Review calls for more investment in English language learning

LEAH's work was given further endorsement yesterday by the Casey Review which states that 'English language is a common denominator and a strong enabler of integration'.   

Dame Louise Casey goes on to call for additional funding for the promotion of English language skills empowering marginalised women, promoting social mixing and tackling barriers to employment for most socially isolated groups. It also recommends that we 'Reduce economic exclusion, inequality and segregation in our most isolated and deprived communities and schools, by improving English language provision through funding for community-based classes.'

At LEAH, we experience first hand the difference learning English can make to women's lives both in our 1 to 1 and small group community classes.

Client T.T. ‘Now I feel more confident when I see the doctor or meet parent in my children’s school.’

Client T.A. ‘At school I have to speak English… At (the) doctor I now speak if my son is sick, it is important.’ 

Client J.A. ‘(I’ve made) very good friends now.  (If) my daughter (is) not well…I go to (the) pharmacist on my own’.

LEAH conversation class client. "We learned a lot from each other..developing our knowledge not only of British culture and lifestyle, but also traditions and customs of other countries". 

LEAH helps women from over 30 different countries and when ready (usually after a period of 9-12 months with a 1 to 1 volunteer) brings them together in small classes with creche facilities to help them improve their practical language skills. By enabling friendships to develop where communication is through English, the common language of both parties, we provide yet further opportunities for language skills to be practised and developed. Meeting women from other cultures also reminds us that despite our different languages we are in many other ways much alike, especially for example where our children are concerned. As LEAH's Patron Dame Jacqueline Wilson commented following her visit to one of our literacy classes "It was heart-warming to make friends with such a diverse and determined group of women and to realise how much we all have in common in spite of coming from different countries and cultures."