An action plan to boost English classes for students of other languages at Bradford College is underway after education inspectors found "too much unsatisfactory or poor teaching" in the subject.

But overall education watchdog Ofsted found the majority of subject areas at the college were either good or satisfactory.

And the subject of trade union studies was highly praised and described as "outstanding".

The campus, which has its main base in Great Horton Road, was praised as being a "friendly, welcoming, safe and harmonious learning environment".

And the high level of support for students and good student behaviour was also commended, while the college's commitment to equality of opportunity was emphasised throughout the report.

But during ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) lessons inspectors found 18 per cent of teaching was less than satisfactory while 40 per cent was good or better.

And today college principal Michele Sutton, who took over the post last month, said a new manager was already in post to tackle problems on the course, and an action plan was already drawn up to address any problem areas across campus.

The report stated in many ESOL sessions students worked too slowly and were not challenged enough.

Inspectors also criticised learning goals and noted the whole group was given the same aims rather than individual targets.

And the inspection found there was also a large number of changes in the staffing of classes and a high turnover of teachers who were paid by the hour.

Mrs Sutton said she was delighted inspectors recognised the range of courses taught at more than 100 venues across the district, and especially that the college provides the ESOL courses to many learners who would not otherwise be able to access these courses.

"The inspectors felt, as is the experience quite commonly across the country, that the quality of teaching of ESOL could be improved and suggested by improving the management arrangements this would be achieved," she said.

"Therefore, we now have a new manager in post who is working with the senior managers in the college to put these improvements into action. Since I took over as principal in August we have focused on planning and implementing improvements.

"I am confident we shall bring these up to our expected quality very quickly."

There are just over 21,000 students at the college and of these more than 1,500 took the ESOL course.

Also, Ofsted found sports facilities were poor with a cramped hall and leaking roof.

Hospitality, leisure and travel courses were also found to have poor pass rates but they had a good student retention rate.

Hairdressing and beauty therapy was praised for its wide range of courses and overall the department was satisfactory. Retention rates for visual and performing arts and media were low.

Overall, the college's main strengths were its broad curriculum, the committed staff, its strategies and partnerships to widen participation, and the effective specialist support for students with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities.

Ofsted also praised its efforts in attracting new students from disadvantaged communities, and 36 per cent of students are from ethnic minority groups which is well above the 20 per cent in the community. The financial management was found to be strong