Initial Teacher Education in Y&H

Last year, we launched our ‘Pathways into ESOL Teaching’ resource. This includes information and advice about getting into teaching ESOL, plus a database of available courses across the region. At the time of publication, this database included three fully funded opportunities to qualify as a teacher or to expand your teaching portfolio into ESOL for free – a level 5 CELTA in Rotherham, a Skills Bootcamp in Leeds, and a dual-pathway ESOL qualification in Bradford.

As those courses have come to an end, they have not been replaced, leaving the ITE landscape in Yorkshire and the Humber looking rather thin on the ground, and bereft of funded opportunities to get into ESOL. Online and in-person Level 5 qualifications are still available at a cost.

There is an exciting pathway in Leeds, offered by University Centre Leeds, which will interest those who are currently working as Teaching Assistants or Volunteers in Community ESOL organisations. This is the Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship with optional Cert Ed.

We are committed to sharing up-to-date information about courses across the region. If you know of any other Initial Teacher Training for those interested in getting into teaching ESOL, please do let us know. The best way is to email the Development Worker for you area: Bradford, Hull, NE Lincolnshire, Wakefield and East Riding: Safina Arif, safina@yhmesh.org.uk. Leeds, Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham: Angela Palmer, Angelap@yhmesh.org.uk. Kirklees or Calderdale: Mary Begley, maryb@yhmesh.org.uk.