A study of the opportunities and challenges of providing non-formal ESOL programmes for adult learners in Auckland Libraries

Abstract

Research Problem: Auckland has become more ethnically diverse in the last two decades. Auckland Libraries with its 55 branches can make a considerable contribution in integrating immigrants into the community by offering adult ESOL programmes. This study investigates the key issues related to providing ESOL adult programmes in Auckland Libraries.

Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten library staff members including three managers. A purposeful sampling approach was used with the participants recruited from five community library branches that run adult ESOL programmes.

Results: The findings show that participating libraries use the opportunity of providing ESOL programmes to invest on community building. They face many challenges in terms of staffing, funding cut, change in organisation structure and other practical issues. However, they are able to use various strategies to overcome or work around the challenges because of the positive attitudes and passion of the library staff members who run the programmes. However, there are much room for improvement in the area of collaboration and partnership.

Implications: Auckland Libraries branches should work together to minimise duplications of effort by sharing ideas, resources and expertise. Library managers should instil the mission of using ESOL programmes to achieve the aim of community building in every library staff and set a healthy work culture in the organisation. In addition, they can look for more training options for their library staff. Future research could look at investigating the attitudes of adult ESOL learners in the community libraries and other library staff in general towards the programmes, and the effect and outcomes of Fit for the Future new service model on the programmes.