learndirect supports English language training across Wales
ESOL tutor Janice Whiteley supports ELLIS learners at Bridgend College
confident. My English is improving and I am finding it easier to make conversation in English and to read instructions in work.”
Sanae Elkrissi, 19 from Morrocco, works in a small hotel in Bridgend.“I want to improve my English and want to take an ESOL class at Bridgend College. The class is full now so I am doing the ELLIS’ course with learndirect to help me while I learn.
“Learning with a computer is good because I can
learn at my own speed and study at the times I like in between my shifts at the hotel. I can get help from tutors at College when I need it too.”
Jeff Greenidge, Head of learndirect in Wales said: “There is a growing demand for high-quality English language teaching resources throughout Wales and the rest of the UK. I am pleased that education providers are making good use of learndirect’s English language courses to complement the ESOL curriculum and to enhance the learner experience.”
learndirect’s interactive learning programme for speakers of
other languages, ELLIS, is meeting the needs of hundreds of individuals throughout Wales as they seek to improve their
English language skills.
As demand for English language instruction increases across Wales, education providers are taking advantage of learndirect’s flexible learning style with tutor-led instruction to provide learners with a comprehensive and varied learning programme.
Lyn Lording-Jones, International and ESOL Manager at Coleg Menai said: “The ideal teaching programme for learners studying English language is one that combines a number of teaching methods. It is important for learners to interact with native speakers and fellow students face to face, and the learndirect courses are an excellent tool in enabling students to practice their classroom-taught skills, improve pronunciation and
fluency and refresh their grammar and vocabulary. By building confidence through learndirect’s online courses, learners become more
confident speaking and listening to English in everyday situations.
” During each lesson, learners are able to watch video clips, listen to English and then learn how to say and spell new words. They can practise and record their voices, repeating and checking as often as they like. At the end of each lesson, learners are able to practise writing and speaking the new English words they have learnt.
Support for learners is available in a variety of languages including Arabic, Burmese, Cantonese, Castilian, Czech, Euro Portuguese, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Kurdish, Mandarin Chinese, Punjabi, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Sylheti, Tamil, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.
In addition to the ELLIS courses, there are learndirect courses such as Welcome to English and Going up which focus on building English skills for day-to-day life situations. Lessons are built around asking for directions, making a doctor’s appointment or talking to the teacher of a child.
Sebastian Gajek, 35, works as a machine operator in a factory in Bridgend. He has completed the ELLIS Introduction course and is working through ELLIS Middle Mastery. He said:“I do the learndirect courses in the learning centre in Bridgend College whenever I have free time. I am attending group classes in the College too so the learndirect courses let me practise the things I’m learning every week.
“I found the grammar
difficult but the ELLIS courses let me do exercises again and again until I feel
