Students gagged by cuts in access to English language courses

The students and their lecturers, who are members of UCU, fear that government funding changes beginning this term, which end entitlement to free language classes for some categories of students, may deny many people the chance to communicate and participate fully in society and work.

In several English towns and cities including London, Huddersfield and Stockton-on Tees, outdoor classes and other activity will highlight the plight of students who will no longer qualify for free classes. There are also concerns that some ESOL courses will disappear.

Students from Huddersfield Technical College will attend free outdoor lessons while gagged. In Bradford, signs on empty chairs in an outdoor classroom will explain the expected loss of student places. Information stalls will be run in Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne and in London staff and students from several colleges will attend public meetings and conduct outdoor protests.

The events are part of a Save ESOL campaign coordinated by UCU and including a large number of organisations trying to protect adult education.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'As colleges start their new term we fear that many people needing free English language classes will be unable to pay towards new fees and will consequently be prevented from playing a full part in their community and denied opportunities for work. The government says it wants to upgrade adult skills and promote community cohesion, but a lack of joined up thinking means new ESOL funding arrangements work against both those objectives.'