To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) how the English for Speakers of Other Languages course is evaluated; and (ii) how the views of course participants are sought (a) during; and (b) after the completion of a course.

My officials are advised by the Further Education colleges that evaluation of English for Speakers of Other Languages programmes follows a set process used across all programmes delivered by the Further Education colleges.

The annual evaluation of the English for Speakers of Other Languages includes a review of enrolment and achievement levels and quality of teaching and learning including learner experience. The learners experience is captured through induction surveys and student voice surveys which are undertaken throughout the academic year and on exit of the programme.

Further to this, my Department conducts the Survey of Further Education College Leavers. The most up to date results for the 2022/23 academic year shows that 94% of English for Speakers of Other Languages students were satisfied with their Further Education experience, compared to 92% for all Further Education leavers.