Learner-centred education and adult education for migrants in Glasgow

Slade and Dickson explore the delivery of English for Speakers of Other Languages’ (ESOL) classes to a cohort of migrants living in an area of Glasgow which is densely populated and multi-cultural. In stark contrast to other areas of the UK, the Scottish Government actively encourages migration; migrants are valued and considered important to help mitigate against Scotland’s declining population and an aging demographic. The case study revealed that the migrant adult learner is at the core of delivery, and the staff value, respect and encourage the learners regardless of cultural background or academic ability. The community-based adult educators made no claims as to the learner-centredness of their approach to adult education, but these principles underpinned practice at all levels of delivery