English for good: Bayswater Education’s mission to make language learning accessible
“A different language is a different vision of life”
– Federico Fellini
Studying foreign languages is more than just a purely academic pursuit or a handy tool for travelling; it is also a great enabler of opportunity.
English language skills in particular are well documented as a worldwide social and economic mobiliser, with those possessing them gaining access to greater employment opportunities in an increasingly global marketplace.
The challenge of accessibility
The optimum way to learn English as a foreign language is to partake in the immersive experience of travelling to the UK to study in one of the many excellent language schools (though make sure it is one accredited by the British Council). Unfortunately, due to the costs involved, this is not an option open to everyone, and there is a danger that those who can’t afford it become left behind.
The Bayswater approach
Addressing this very issue is the ethos of the new language school Bayswater Education. The director, James Herbertson, describes the school as:
“A for-profit social enterprise with a social mission at its heart.”
This mission, called English for Good, is to bring educational opportunities to those from less privileged backgrounds. The way this works is that when someone comes to study at Bayswater, their fees help provide English classes to someone from a less fortunate background overseas, on a one-for-one basis.
A vision for the future
This inspiring mission to allow young people to enrich their lives and those of their peers, regardless of economic background, should serve as a bellwether for how we think of language education in the future.
