<p>Our<strong> ESOL learners</strong> at Weston College have already launched into an exciting new season of <strong>extracurricular activities</strong> - and we’re delighted to share an update on what they’ve been up to.</p><p>The ESOL learners began with a fantastic trip to the University of Bath, including a short visit into the city before heading home. A huge thank you to Liza and her team at the council for their generous financial and hands-on support, and to the Virtual Schools team for kindly providing the sandwiches.</p><p>The visit was a real highlight - upon arrival, our learners were welcomed by two outstanding university ambassadors who offered a full campus tour and took the time to answer every question. This visit tied perfectly into the learner’s ESOL project,<em><strong> A Dream College</strong></em>, which has included group presentations and will conclude next week with a lively debate: <strong>College Campus vs. University Campus.</strong></p><p>The students found the experience deeply inspiring, with many expressing a genuine interest in studying at Bath in the future. They were particularly impressed by the <strong>Olympic-sized swimming pool</strong>, the <strong>expansive athletics track and gym</strong>, the <strong>modern study spaces</strong>, and the <strong>vibrant students’ union.</strong></p><p>ESOL also marked the first of their four <strong>Parents/Corporate Parents Afternoons.</strong> Families, carers, and corporate parents had the opportunity to meet with learners and tutors to discuss progress, development, and targets. They also shared a presentation showcasing the activities and tailored approaches used to help every learner reach their full potential. Our ESOL learners were incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements, and it was wonderful to see families engaging so positively with their learning journey.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b13bc10-fac2-40f3-90da-80e8be617c7e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity>

<p>This National Numeracy Day at Weston College we are continuing our commitment to empowering adult learners and employers across the UK with essential numeracy skills!</p><p>National Numeracy Day serves as a reminder of the importance of numerical proficiency in everyday life and career progression. Multiply courses, funded by the government and delivered by local communities, offer a unique learning opportunity for adults aged 19 or over to build their numeracy skills.&nbsp;</p><p>From basic maths taught through fun classes like cooking, gardening and woodwork to more advanced classes, the courses are designed to meet diverse needs and empower learners to navigate numerical challenges confidently. For employers, investing in the numeracy skills of their workforce is key to driving business growth and enhancing productivity.&nbsp;</p><p>From basic numeracy training to advanced financial literacy, the courses are designed to align with business objectives and foster a culture of continuous learning. On National Numeracy Day, adults across the UK are encouraged to invest in their numeracy skills, while employers are urged to prioritise the development of their workforce’s maths competencies.&nbsp;</p><p>By getting involved in the Multiply programme, individuals and businesses alike can unlock new potential and confidence!<br>&nbsp;</p><p><meta charset="utf-8">“Being dyslexic, I always struggled with numbers. Luckily, the Multiply course allowed me to learn essential maths skills through fun classes. For instance I enrolled on a Multiply cooking course where I created new recipes and using maths to weigh out the correct ingredient measurements. Similarly, the joinery course taught me practical maths skills too, and I'm finding that my dyslexic challenges around numbers aren't as daunting anymore. I'm now adding numbers quicker and feeling more confident.”</p><p>Find out more about the Multiply Courses we have on offer below:</p><p><strong>Cost Of Living And IT Skills</strong></p><p>If the Cost-of-Living crisis in the UK is encouraging you to upskill, this course will give you skills in maths and IT required for all types of real-life scenarios. Find out more here - <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/computing-and-… of Living and IT Skills - Multiply&nbsp;</a></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>Multiply ESOL</strong></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">If you are currently learning English as a second or other language, this course will help you to further build your knowledge by improving your maths skills. Find out more here <strong>- </strong><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/english-and-ma… (English for Speakers of Other Languages) - Multiply</a>.</p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{49de4cae-fe41-44b2-a745-3ccfb0813a53}{187}" paraid="385857061">Recently our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners took part in an exciting exercise hosted by our LibraryPlus team. The class was given an immersive demonstration of the latest virtual reality (VR) technology, opening a gateway to a new dimension of learning. The students, many of whom had never experienced VR before, eagerly donned headsets to explore innovative tools that could one day revolutionise their educational journey.&nbsp;</p><p paraeid="{49de4cae-fe41-44b2-a745-3ccfb0813a53}{205}" paraid="1882773131">Weston College aims to integrate VR into its curriculum, recognising its potential to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. The initiative reflects our commitment to preparing students for the challenges of the modern workforce, where technology plays an increasingly vital role. The students enthusiastically embraced this cutting-edge technology.&nbsp;</p><p paraeid="{49de4cae-fe41-44b2-a745-3ccfb0813a53}{233}" paraid="1907290390">The VR experience was a hit with the ESOL learners. Student Mohammed said: “It was amazing! Very different, and a strange feeling but something very new.” Learner Tony particularly enjoyed the experience saying: “I really enjoyed it; it was super fun!”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p paraeid="{49de4cae-fe41-44b2-a745-3ccfb0813a53}{251}" paraid="1139757022">ESOL lecturer John said: “It was an amazing immersive experience. Students were able to explore with focus.”&nbsp;</p><p paraeid="{49de4cae-fe41-44b2-a745-3ccfb0813a53}{251}" paraid="1139757022">&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Learner using VR technology&quot;" data-align="center" data-langcode="en" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a0ad876-135c-47dc-8c3f-a3e85fd7e9fe" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_750x750&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity>