The number of enrolments to ESOL courses in each year between 2000 and 2005 is as follows:
Number 2000/01 159,000 2001/02 302,000 2002/03 413,000 2003/04 488,000 2004/05 484,000 2005/06 1504,000 1 Based on data up to October 2006, both confirmed and estimated.
Data on learners is gathered through the individualised learner record (ILR). Its primary function is to capture learner suitability to a learning aim and ensure correct payment to the provider of learning, and as such, there is no field on the ILR designed to capture a learner’s nationality.