English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students were treated to an informative showcase of UK politics recently with the visit of an MP and a senior civil servant.
Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank and senior UK Parliament Education and Engagement Outreach Officer for Scotland Philiippa Mason, visited the FVC Falkirk Campus on Wednesday 28 May from 10am-12 noon, after accepting an invitation from the ESOL students to give presentations in the Steeple Suite.
More than 30 ESOL students’ originally from Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Iran and Sudan – including some refugees and asylum seekers – attended the event and were eager to find out more about the political landscape of the UK.
Lecturer Duncan Carmichael, said: “Philippa has been visiting ESOL learners in colleges across Scotland recently explaining the work of the UK Parliament. She contacted Lucy Hawkins our Curriculum Manager a few months ago asking if she could visit some ESOL classes.
“We suggested our full-time ESOL for Employability Course as they do a unit called Living in Scotland, that looks at the role of Westminster and the Scottish Parliament. They are also doing an ‘Assist with an Event’ section of their course and so some of the students will be the hosts, collecting her at reception, taking her to the room, introducing and thanking her etc.
“A few days ago Philippa asked if she could bring our local MP Euan Stainbank, as well. He wanted to tell the group what it's like to be an MP, and what his average day is like. He was delighted to take questions afterwards and it was a fantastic opportunity for the students to meet a MP.”
For more information on FVC’s ESOL courses visit: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/esol
