Cambridge Research in Community Language Education Network

CRiCLE was established in 2014 as a research and impact initiative supported by the Newton Fund. Hosted in the Faculty of Education, it provides a research forum where policy makers, academics, practitioners and research students in Cambridge, and more broadly at national and international levels, can engage in critical debates on language, heritage and migration. The vision of the network is to establish a Local Community Partnership and a Regional Support Network and a Global Research Consortium to promote the value of community language and multilingualism in education, integration and well-being of migrant children and youth.

Cambridge Bilingual Groups

Cambridge Bilingual Groups is a voluntary group that provides support for groups and supplementary schools for bilingual children in and around Cambridge. The main activities are teacher and manager training, provision of networking opportunities and 1:1 support. Cambridge is home to 1,000’s of international families that use two or more languages. However, as their children grow, many parents find that it is difficult to convey their language and culture on their own. This is why Cambridge nourishes a rich environment of more than 30 supplementary schools and groups for bilingual children and their families.

Cambridgeshire Libraries

We have 33 static libraries and 3 mobiles in Cambridgeshire. Library membership is free, and anyone living, working, visiting, or studying in Cambridgeshire or neighbouring counties is welcome to join. We offer a warm welcome, free WiFi and PC access, books for loan, access to online resources, and a wide range of free and low-cost events and activities for all ages. Cambridgeshire Libraries were recognised as Libraries of Sanctuary in August 2023, and support new arrivals to the UK through a range of resources including language learning support and study materials. We also signpost to trusted organisations that can help with housing, internet access, learning English, finding a job and more. Please visit our website for more details: Libraries | Cambridgeshire County Council.

Refugee Language Education Unit

The Refugee Language Education Unit (RLEU) of the Cambridge Refugee Hub is an interdisciplinary collective of scholars creating groundbreaking research on refugee language education. This unit strives for people experiencing displacement to gain access to high quality language education. While in displacement in a foreign country, language proficiency is arguably the most pertinent skill to survival and wellbeing. Host country language as well as home/heritage languages will allow children to continue their studies and adults to see their needs and the needs of their families met. The RLEU is committed to designing high-quality interventions that empower teachers and governments to advance the wellbeing of people in displacement and provide them with the resources necessary to thrive in resettlement through language education.

Cambridge Refugee Hub

Established in 2021, Cambridge Refugee Hub works, through collaboration with those affected by wars, conflicts, and crises, together with the interdisciplinary expertise of the university, to address the plight of displaced populations at home and abroad. CRH provides research, outreach and impact (and limited teaching). Through its programming, it also encourages wider research, practice and policy across the collegiate university. Further, CRH serves as a point of contact on refugees and displaced persons across the University of Cambridge, supporting and platforming various initiatives, such as University of Sanctuary, Cambridge for Refugees, Cambridge Refugee Week and Crises Desks.

Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum

Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum is an umbrella organisation for Cambridge and district that provides racial equality services to individuals and groups. CECF provides a cultural diversity service that helps promote an understanding between people from different ethnic groups and help them be a natural part of Cambridge life. We give special social, cultural, moral and practical support to groups and develop particular projects where needed. One of our key services is the Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equality Support Service (CHESS); also developing a refugee service. CECF is part of the Cambridge COVID -19 City Community Reference Group, involved in supporting the community response to the Covid-19 public health emergency.

Norfolk County Council EAL/EDC Advisory Service

The service provides advice and support to Norfolk schools and Early Years setting in establishing best provision for learners who have English as an additional language. The service also work with Norfolk CC’s People from Abroad team and the UASC Social Care team to offer educational support for Unaccompanied Asylum seekers and refugees. The EAL service also offers a range of training and networking opportunities to schools from Norfolk and beyond, and teacher training providers. Other aspects of the service’s work include; championing the work of Norfolk County Council's Anti-Racism campaign, collaborating with Adult Education to set up English lessons for EAL parents and promoting the School of Sanctuary and Young Interpreters initiatives in schools.

Partnership Schools

CRiCLE works in partnership with the following schools:

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