Brokering Britain, Educating Citizens

This bookaddresses the politically charged issue of citizenship and English language learning among adult migrants in theUK. Whilst citizenship learning is inherent inEnglish for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), the bookargues that top-down approaches and externally-designed curriculaare not a productive or useful approach.Meaningful citizenship education in adult ESOL is possible, however,if it brings social and political content centre-stage alongside pedagogy which develops the capabilities for active, grassroots, participatory citizenship. The chapters deliver adetailed examination of citizenship and ESOL in the UK. They addressa range of community and college-based settings and the needs and circumstances of different groups of ESOL students, including refugees, migrant mothers,job seekers and students with mental health needs. The book draws attention to the crucial role of ESOL teachers as 'brokers of citizenship' mediating between national policy and the experiences and needs of adult migrant students. The book links together language pedagogy and citizenship theory with the practical concerns of ESOL teachers and students.