Ways to enhance ESOL lecturer diversity in Scottish FE colleges: practical solutions from the lecturers’ perspective

In recent years, there has been a clear focus on enhancing diversity in the global ELT profession (Pérez Berbain, Banegas and Beacon, 2021; Chen and Kong, 2022). This trend also permeates the context of ESOL education in Scotland, as clearly stated in the Adult ESOL strategy (The Scottish Government and APS Group Scotland, 2015) and, more recently, in the Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland (The Scottish Government, 2022). However, this focus on diversity does not seem to be reflected in the identity characteristics of lecturers working in ESOL departments in Scottish colleges. Most ESOL lecturers working in Scottish colleges seem to be predominantly white, heterosexual and speak English as a first language (Barrowcliffe, 2022). This paper aims to suggest some ways in which ESOL departments could become more diverse in terms of staff diversity based on the participants’ views and perceptions.