This post marks the beginning of a new series on this blog. We will be focusing on members of staff in East Lothian Works that work with adults and young people out of school in order to aid them in finding employment. Each week we will delve into the work that the individual in question does, and how it may help you in the future. This week, we are focusing on Andy Stuckey, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Coordinator.

What does your job involve?

• Managing a small team of ESOL tutors and a number of classes, mostly in the evenings, in Musselburgh and Haddington.
• Managing volunteer ESOL tutors in Haddington and Dunbar.
• Managing ESOL provision for the East Lothian Syrian Resettlement Programme.
• Delivering ESOL classes in primary schools across the region.

What’s your favourite part about your job?
Delivering ESOL classes in the community and the classroom dynamics this entails.

What is the most difficult part about your job?
Honestly, finding my way around new systems and procedures, both internal and external.

What is a typical day in the working life like for you?
ESOL delivery in primary schools first thing, followed by time spent checking and responding to emails. Service developments and meetings after that. Always busy!

How did you get into this line of work?
I’ve been teaching English for over 25 years in colleges and language schools, but I have always sought out opportunities to offer community-based classes. My current post is a culmination of that process.

What type of people do you work with on a daily basis?
Learners from all over the world, the majority of whom are very well-qualified in their home countries. However due to their limited English language skills they are unable to find employment at that level.

Why is your service important?
The service is all about settlement and integration. It is about increasing the cultural capital of the East Lothian region as a whole, and it is also about enabling New Scots to become effective contributors to the Scottish economy.

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Andy for taking time out of his day to answer my questions, it is greatly appreciated. If you’d like to find out more about the ESOL programme, feel free to email astuckey@eastlothian.gov.uk.

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