ESOL Baby Steps has been designed for anyone to deliver, using the complete package of resources provided as a basis to build your own course for your setting.

You will need:

•An enthusiastic, flexible and friendly facilitator – no formal training needed.

•To decide how long you want your course to be – resources are available for 12 one-hour sessions but can be adapted for the specific needs of your community and the time available –the resources are just the basics to get you started – it is your course.

•To recruit ideally between 5 and 10 mums per delivery.

•A comfortable, carpeted, cushioned or grassy area where everyone can sit on the floor in a semi-circle, with toys and books available to occupy the babies.

•A story book to read together at the end, if you like.

•You could even set up a WhatsApp group for your mums to share things and build a community.

The sessions:

•Each session  is a topic and can stand-alone, so mums don’t have to attend every session.

•Sessions can be combined or omitted – it is up to you – do what works for your learners.

•Each session follows the same format, and it is good to be consistent using the same welcome, gestures, songs, etc each week.

•Make sure you allow some time for general chatting and getting to know each other.

•The sessions focus on speaking and listening skills.

•Review the learning from the previous session at the beginning -ask the mums what they can remember and go over the language learned.

•Be open to going off-track – encourage the mums to share their knowledge, languages, ideas and questions.

•Feel free to invite in useful speakers or to add your own content, relevant to your learners – these resources are just provided as a first building block.

•For example, these sessions were developed with student midwives so that they could attend and support the second half of the programme as a placement activity during their university course.

•Make it fun!

The resources:

•Each resource pack includes this course guide, an A3 flipbook, some flashcards and some mums’ books for the learners to use in the sessions, make notes and  take home with them.

•The Flip Book is designed to be used instead of a screen, although a projector-version is available. It guides you through each session, with the flash cards magnifying the content.

•This course guide has clear guidance for each session with three or four activities per session. The activity numbers in the session plan are reflected in the Flip Book pages and the content is also mirrored in the Mum’s Books.