Programmes for speakers of English as an additional language

Since 2003, the Museum has run a range of programmes designed specifically for people learning English as an additional language.

Learners are predominantly from refugee, new migrant and settled migrant communities who are learning English on the government-funded Skills for Life course. The Museum's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programme is an integral part of our adult learning provision and is one of the many ways in which we can reach out to key London audiences.

Each year, we run thirty 90-minute introductory tours of the Museum as well as providing tours of special exhibitions such as Michelangelo, Ancient Persia, Myths of Bengal, Power and Taboo and the The First Emperor. Each tour is tailored to the ESOL curriculum and the aim is to develop language skills and to expand knowledge of world cultures and history.

The Museum has built close relationships with Further Education colleges and community groups across London to ensure we maintain best practice in our provision. We have recently provided in-service training to ESOL tutors and we will be introducing new sessions on British history and on handling objects from the Museum's collection.

For more information, please email esol@britishmuseum.org