English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) - Facts for Employers

SQA has a range of work-related ESOL National Qualifications from complete beginner (Access 2) to advanced (Higher). The topics and tasks they cover are relevant to learners, whose first language is not English, who are looking for work or are already in the workplace. SQA ESOL Units are eligible for funding from ILA Scotland.

How Employers Benefit

• Improved communication, morale and intra/inter team integration
• Greater employee understanding of quality, HR and health & safety issues
• Improved efficiency and less waste/errors
• Enhanced customer perception

How Learners Benefit

• Access to the workplace
• Progression and integration within the workplace
• Nationally recognized qualification in English for work purposes
• Improvement of speaking, writing, listening and reading in English for work purposes

What Employers Say About SQA ESOL

 

“Specific hospitality-based ESOL lessons do work. We need employees to understand manual handling guidelines, fire safety and food hygiene….In the hotel business communication and safety with respect to colleagues and guests are paramount. SQA ESOL for Work improves both.”

Stephen Gow, General Manager, Thistle Hotel, Inverness and Chair of Inverness Hotel Association.

• View full case study of The Inverness Hotel Association

     

 

 

“The management team can communicate with migrant workers and are assured that the factory is operating in a more efficient and safe way. Waste and errors have been reduced and we are able to tell our customers that we offer ethical health and safety training programmes. This is a key aspect in customer perception.”

Kevin Gates, Strathaird Salmon General Manager, Youngs Seafoods

• View full case study of Strathaird Salmon

    

 

 

“The company has a happier and contented work force as they can see we are investing in their future... It has all worked out really well and we are looking at starting a further group in the future as the majority of our migrant workers are very keen either to develop their existing English skills or to start learning the basics.”

Liz Jackson, HR & Operations Director, Strathmore Foods, Forfar

• View full case study of Strathmore Foods

    

 

 

“The WEA English at Work programme using SQA work-based ESOL Units are designed to help learners in the workplace and in everyday life.”

Sheila Mitchell, Workers’ Educational Association, Highland

    

 

What Employees Say About SQA ESOL

“I now understand things like to look carefully at different packages in rooms and if we see something wrong we must tell the Manager.” Margorzata Dziubak, from Poland, Housekeeping employee with Holiday Inn Express gained an ESOL Unit at Access 3

“It was very helpful for filling the application form, doing my C.V. and preparing for the job interview. The practice was so useful”. Hyunmi Lee, Nursery Assistant, Cowgate Under 5 Centre, Edinburgh achieved a full Course in ESOL at Intermediate 2

"When we first interviewed Hyunmi Lee a year ago for the position of nursery nurse her English was very limited. Since she completed the ESOL for Work course at Intermediate 2 she has been able to understand HR issues and instructions.” Lynn McNair, Head of Centre, Cowgate Under 5 Centre, Edinburgh

“I believe if it wasn’t for the ESOL course, my English wasn’t good enough to get this job. Maryam Habibollahi from Iran gained an ESOL Unit at Higher and now works as a Medical Receptionist

“At the moment I am looking for a job in hospital administration. Writing formal letters and cover letters has been very relevant.” Irina Abrosimova, from Russia achieved an SQA ESOL Unit at Intermediate 2.

Case Studies

Sonia Mustafa Higher ESOL case study

Sonia Mustafa is one of the first students in Scotland to pass Higher ESOL and progress to university. Sonia arrived in Scotland midway through S4 and found it very difficult to communicate in English or understand what was being said around her. By S6 Sonia had overcome all difficulties and had achieved five SQA Highers, including ESOL. She won a place at Strathclyde University to study a BSc in Biomedical Sciences. Read more about Sonia's story by following the link below:

• Sonia Mustafa

Alice Keung Higher ESOL case study

Alice Keung worked for many years as an architect in her native Hong Kong, but when she arrived in Scotland in July 2005 she found that she could not communicate or understand enough of what was said around her. She enrolled on the SQA Higher Course in ESOL, achieved Higher ESOL at grade A, and quickly progressed to finding work as an Architect’s Assistant in Glasgow. Read on to learn more about Alice’s story.

• Alice Keung

More Information

For more information on how SQA ESOL qualification benefit employers and employees please download SQA ESOL Factsheet for Employers or call the Customer Contact Centre (0845 279 1000).