Stevenson College Edinburgh – ESOL Home Learning Scheme

Stevenson College Edinburgh’s CbESOL (Community-based English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes take place across Edinburgh and the Lothians.  The CbESOL Home Learning Scheme is dependent upon volunteers who are trained to deliver ESOL teaching to home learners who are not able to attend classes because of personal circumstances such as mobility issues, childcare, care for elderly relatives or shift-work responsibilities.  

Fiona Brown is studying for a PDA (Professional Development Award) in TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Stevenson College Edinburgh and has been volunteering with the CbESOL Home Learning Scheme to teach English to non-native speakers in their own homes.  “Volunteering on the CBESOL Home Learning Scheme has been an important opportunity for me. In my early forties, working in finance with little prospect for development, I found that volunteering to teach English in the community opened up new prospects for me, educationally, personally and professionally.  The initial training course showed me how enjoyable learning can be and gave me the confidence to use my language awareness and teaching skills with my first home learner.  Her progress encouraged and intrigued me so I became a classroom assistant at a community reading and writing class to learn more.  Volunteering at this class encouraged me to take a step towards a professional qualification in ESOL to broaden and deepen my knowledge. My twice-weekly volunteering sessions provide valuable practical input to my college course and remind me why I am motivated to succeed.  I hope that my PDA in TESOL will help me not only to be a better volunteer teacher but also to be my gateway to a new world of employment possibilities.”
“I feel much more connected to my local community after two years of volunteering. I have met such inspiring learners from all over the world and all the teachers have been extremely generous with their support and encouragement. I feel that starting to volunteer was the beginning of a period of real progression for me and I feel a happier, more fulfilled person because of it.”