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ESOL Enews, Issue 1 - November 2008
A messgae from Euan Reid, Chair of the National ESOL Panel
"Welcome to the first edition of the ESOL Enews. The newsletter will be delivered to your inbox every two months and will feature the latest ESOL developments in Scotland, including national and local news, plus the latest information on professional development opportunities for ESOL practitioners and managers. You will also find examples of effective practice and resources.
View "Latest National News" to read about developments since the Scottish National Adult ESOL Strategy document was launched in March 2007. In later editions we plan to give you more detail on what is emerging and to invite your feedback.
Since coming back to Scotland a year ago, I have been struck by the excellent people and the forward-looking ideas in Scottish ESOL. We have a lot to learn from other countries, but we also have a lot to offer. I hope that what we are consolidating and developing through the national Panel will make a real contribution to ESOL in Scotland.
I hope you find the Enews useful and that you can contribute to future editions."
If you would like to share information about local ESOL activities or events, or resources you have used or developed, please contact us. Contributions should be brief (we suggest 100 words maximum, to include website and email addresses for further information). If this Enews has been forwarded to you and you would like your own copy you can register here.
Latest National News
There have been four meetings of the National Panel for Adult ESOL in Scotland since February 2008, and three short life Working Parties have been set up to look at:
1.
Curriculum Framework
2.
Professional Development
3.
Funding Principles
The Terms of Reference of these Working Parties can be accessed here.
Latest Local News
ESOL learners get reading in Midlothian
Malani (Midlothian Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership) has set up a book club that will give learners the opportunity to discuss the stories they have read. They intend to tie this in with the Six Book Challenge and would also like to start a lunch club. This will probably be held on a monthly basis and Malani already have an enthusiastic Italian learner to do the catering! For more information e-mail Ian Tullis.
Training for tutors in Highland
On September 26 Highland Adult Literacies and the Highland ESOL Providers held their annual ESOL Tutor Training Day in Inverness, funded by the Scottish Government.
The event was attended by over 50 ESOL tutors from colleges, secondary schools, and community based and work based programmes across Highland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. Workshop topics included 'Conducting SQA Assessments', 'Tutoring for Advanced Levels', 'Mixed Level Classrooms' and 'ESOL without a Textbook'. A popular workshop was 'Try it, it works!' where tutors demonstrated their favourite activities.
Contact Mary Rhind at Mary.rhind@highland.gov.uk for further information.
Home Learning with Stevenson College Edinburgh
The Home Learning Scheme at Stevenson College Edinburgh has over 50 volunteer tutors who teach English to adults who are unable to attend local community-based classes. Tuition is tailored to the individual student and their situation, and can involve spoken and/or written English at a variety of levels.
All volunteer tutors attend an introductory training course and then receive ongoing support once they have met their student.
Students can be very isolated and in desperate need of English in order to participate in the community. Volunteer tutors from Stevenson provide a vital role in helping the students to become more involved in the community.
For further information contact Caroline Battes on 0131 535 4630.
Learning and Teaching
Local Accents resource pack
The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) in Highland recently launched their new ESOL Tutor resource pack Local Accents. The pack contains 30 lessons with teaching and learning worksheets, tape-scripts and an accompanying CD, and offers ESOL learners the opportunity to familiarise themselves with a variety of accents from the Inverness and Highland area. The development and printing of these resources were funded by the WEA, Highland Adult Literacies, the European Social Fund, and the Scottish Government, with support from Learning Connections and Sheerface Limited. A limited number of packs are available from the WEA Highland office at 57 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1DR or by emailing m.cusick@weascotland.org.uk.
ESOL Practitioner Network
The Network met in Glasgow on 1 October 2008 to discuss family ESOL. The notes and presentations from the meeting are available on the 'ESOL practitioner network' page. These include an update on developments in national ESOL policy and practice. If you would like to join the network e-mail Jackie Borge.
Professional Development
New qualification for ESOL practitioners
After extensive research, consultation and development, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) launched the PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (G91E 46) in September 2008. This Professional Development Award is intended to:
- provide core knowledge required to work with ESOL learners
- develop awareness of English language skills development
- develop skills in integrating language skills development, and
- provide opportunities to develop practical tutoring skills in the context of ESOL delivery.
This is a 2-unit award and at Level 6 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, providing the first stage in an emerging Professional Development Framework for ESOL practitioners in Scotland. For more information contact Jennifer MacDougall 0845 213 5596.
SQA national qualifications in ESOL: contextualisation events
During December 2008 the SQA will be holding three events which focus on tailoring existing material for your particular ESOL context. Places are limited to one place per SQA approved centre. To book a place click on the relevant date below:
10 December 2008 - Inverness
11 December 2008 - Edinburgh
16 December 2008 - Glasgow
Contact Karen Mackle on 0845 213 5483 for more details.
PDA in ESOL Literacies: Teaching Adults Reading, Writing and Numeracy
Langside College will be delivering the PDA in ESOL Literacies for ESOL-qualified tutors who have a minimum of 2 years experience. The 20-week course will be held from 6.00 - 9.00 pm on Monday nights, starting in December 2008, and will cost £350. To apply for the course or obtain further information please contact celiafisher1@hotmail.com.
East Lothian Community Learning and Development (CLD) Partnership offers SQA qualifications to ESOL learners
With the growing numbers of 'new Scots' living and working in the local area, East Lothian CLD Partnership decided to adapt their English learning programme to lead to SQA-accredited ESOL qualifications. In less than a year, the first group of 15 learners were delighted to receive SQA Certificates ranging from Access 2 to Intermediate 1. The team also supported the delivery of SQA ESOL qualifications in four local secondary schools, enabling six students to gain an ESOL qualification at Higher or Intermediate 2.
Click here to find out more about using the SQA's ESOL units.
For further information on ESOL activity in East Lothian CLD Partnership email Sheila Mackay or phone 0131 653 4074.
ESOL for work
The SQA will be holding ESOL for Work events in February 2009. Full details will be issued at a later date.
ESOL Website
At www.esolscotland.com you can browse or search for details of ESOL courses currently available across Scotland and for professional development opportunities for ESOL practitioners. It also contains a databank of useful resources for practitioners and learners, and links to a range of guidance and support for ESOL learners. You can also find further information on how Scotland's Community Learning and Development Partnerships and Scotland's Colleges are supporting the ESOL strategy.
If your organisation would like to put details of courses onto the website, please contact Isabel Russell.
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