Two new courses designed to encourage people who have learnt English as a second language into job roles supporting other ESOL students have been launched at Cheshire College.

The College will be offering Community Interpreting and Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching and Learning at Level 1 and 2 from this month. Both qualifications are suitable for people who have learned English as a second language or native speakers who have a second language. Courses will be delivered from both Crewe and Ellesmere Port campuses. Cheshire College is the first Further Education provider in the local area to offer the Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching Learning course.

Mark Parsons, Assistant Principal for Cheshire College, said, “We are delighted to extend our offering for students who have learnt English as a second language. We know that the communities the College serves are very diverse, and it’s important to reflect that in the courses we offer. Language can be a significant barrier when it comes to things like accessing services, finding work or socialising; for some, this can be isolating. People who have learnt English as a second language understand the challenges it brings, so they are perfectly placed to help others. These qualifications act as an important stepping stone into roles to support other English learners, and we look forward to seeing our first set of students.”

Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching and Learning is aimed at giving people the skills and understanding to support others learning English as a second language. It covers understanding safeguarding and confidentiality, recognising some of the challenges English language students face and also some of the personal and environmental factors that can impact learning English.

The Community Interpreting qualification can be used as a stepping stone to become a Community Interpreter. It allows students to learn more about the role and how it enables people to access services where language poses a barrier.

There are limited spaces available for these courses, those wishing to sign up can attend an enrolment slot. For more information on enrolment, visit www.ccsw.ac.uk/enrolment-2024.