Gallery and Library
Here you can find videos and research information that give an insight into our work.
Beyond The Page - Videos
The ESOL Podcast TEP S2.E9 – Profile of an ESOL Organisation – United Mothers
Phoebe and Gulay tell us how they got involved and why they love being part of United Mothers.
Click here to listen to the Podcast
Research
Migrant Mothers: Active Citizens
Drawing on her doctoral research with migrant mothers learning English in east Kent, BTP’s Director Sheila Macdonald has presented her findings at ESREA conferences in Portugal (2011) and Canterbury (2013), DPR (2013), IATEFL (2013), NATECLA (2013) and a joint Open University/LSBU conference in London (2014).
She is particularly interested in how migrant women developing English language skills can become confident speakers in a hostile climate and how research can be used to inform and develop sensitive, appropriate and critical ESOL pedagogy.
More information can be found here
Evaluating the impact of the United Mothers programme
United Mothers is a collaborative programme currently operating in East Kent, produced and managed by Beyond The Page Ltd, in partnership with
Wantsum Arts.
The programme’s unique offering combines teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) with Natural Voice techniques including singing, plus drama and other creative activities and aims to achieve lasting change in relationships, communication and participation.
Sessions are attended mainly by mothers who are learners of English but also those who already speak English as a first or additional language.
Click here for the full report
Brokering Britain, Educating Citizens
Exploring ESOL and Citizenship
Edited by: Melanie Cooke, Rob Peutrell
Chapter 9 by S. Macdonald
Migrant women, most of them mothers, comprise two thirds of the adult education ESOL population and achievers. Their experiences and perception of themselves as competent users of English and active citizens, however, presents a complex picture as their story is not only about the struggle to overcome structural legal and material obstacles to enter and sustain learning whilst caring for young children.
Cross-disciplinary approaches to community integration and language learning
We have worked with many people who find it hard to progress in mainstream ESOL programmes due to a range of barriers: physical, educational, emotional. Some have undiagnosed learning differences. Since 2012, Sheila has been assessing beginner learners using Cognitive Assessments for Multilingual Learners: an holistic approach to identifying dyslexia by Anne-Margaret Smith (www.eltwell.co.uk) and developing strategies to meet their needs.
In partnership with Jodi Watson of WantsumArts, Sheila innovated an approach combining Natural Voice techniques with ESOL, to support a class of beginner adult learners. The aim was to overcome anxieties, bring voices into the room and engage hesitant learners.
The Action Research Project can be viewed in the link below (Please be patient! It can take a few minutes to load and may not be compatible with your mobile.)
Publications
New!
Macdonald, S. & Watson, J. (2022) ‘Voice Activated: A Transformative Approach to Language Learning’.
In Language and Intercultural Communication.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2022.2030348
Macdonald, S. (2019) “Migrant Women, Active Citizens” In: Cooke, M.& Peutrell, R.
Brokering Britain, Educating Citizens: Exploring ESOL and Citizenship. UK: Multilingual Matters
Macdonald, S. (2016) “United Mothers: A Partnership EAL/ESOL Project” In EAL Journal Autumn 2016. Naldic, UK
Macdonald, S. & Watson, J. (2014) Engagement through creativity and voice:
alternative teaching and learning methods with beginner ESOL learners. Leicester: ETF/EmCETT
Macdonald, S. (2014) Out in the classroom? Exploring LGBT lives and issues in adult ESOL. In: Mallows, D. (ed)
Language Issues in migration and integration: perspectives from teachers and learners. London: British Council
Macdonald, S. (2013) ESOL in the UK: A critical feminist analysis. Thesis: University of Sheffield.
http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/4028/
Macdonald, S. (2013) Migration and English Language Learning in the UK: towards a feminist theorizing.
Power and Education Vol.5(3) 2013 pp 291-303
Macdonald, S. & Rendell, J. (2011) Building confidence and making friends: how Speaking Buddies support ESOL learners’ integration into a local community. Natecla News
Macdonald, S. (1991) All Equal under the Act? A practical guide to the Children Act 1989 for social workers. London: Race Equality Unit
http://www.amazon.com/All-Equal-Under-The-Act/dp/B000RZB50W