ESOL: Speaking About Art

Our ESOL programme uses artworks from The Courtauld Collection as a catalyst for language learning. ESOL learners taking part in our Speaking About Art projects enjoy a wide range of lively, collaborative activities which encourage the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Activities are designed to expand learners’ vocabulary and develop their visual analysis skills.  

For more information about how to get involved in our ESOL: Speaking About Art projects email education@courtauld.ac.uk

How to use the ESOL Resource Hub:

Using art history in the ESOL classroom can encourage learners to look closely, ask questions, make connections and work together to articulate thoughts and express opinions. This approach also draws from the interdisciplinary nature of art history, with opportunities to make links across art and design, history, literature, languages, politics, geography, science and maths.

The resources on the following pages have been developed in collaboration with ESOL tutors from New City College, London Borough of Newham, and can be used as a toolkit for ESOL tutors working with E1 and E2 level students. Activities can be easily adjusted to suit the level of a range of learners.

In each section you will find:

  • A teacher’s page with information about the activities and how to use them, background on each artwork and useful links for further learning
  • Learner activity sheets which support the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing
  • Teacher activity sheets which can be used alongside learner activities

While these resources have been developed to support ESOL students and tutors learning about and through artworks in The Courtauld Collection, you will find the main themes and learning activities relevant to exploring the collections of many other galleries and museums.

ESOL Resource Hub

Citations