Fluent
Round 4 2006-2007
Project Reference No: ESF /0607/577
Project Dossier Number:NW220
Project Description
Through this project we will offer ESOL provision (217 places) either in workplace or community locations to both members of Ethnic Heritage groups and to workers who are from the 2005 EU accession countries. In the former case the ESOL training will be linked with the citizenship qualification and in the latter with language competency useful for everyday life and for employment. The project will be delivered in East, Central and West Lancashire.
We identify above that we are proposing to meet the needs of the two cohorts in different ways. The Ethnic heritage cohort through either
- “Straight” ESOL training that may be contextualised according to interests
- ESOL training linked to the new Citizenship Qualification
And the needs of those from the accession countries through
- ESOL training linked to employment and most particularly within employment to Health and Safety
We will undertake targeted marketing of these offers through community organisations and via employers
Utilising the extensive networks that we have built up both at sub-regional level and in local areas as well as developing publicity directed (in a range of languages) at the target group for distribution via outlets such as clubs, doctor’s surgeries and faith centres.
When recruitment is accomplished we will deliver one of the tree programmes outlined above. Although the content may vary between the different programmes the method and support feature will be the same. In all cases
we will offer each beneficiary a programme of:
- 1 to 1 Advice and Guidance exploring ambitions expectations and barriers
- The programme of their choice delivered by accredited staff towards qualification outcomes.
- On-going tutorial and review
- Examination
- Support in identifying the next step in learning.
The consortium colleges have considerable experience of delivering contextualised learning and we will use this experience especially in the first and third programme options. In relation to individuals outside of the employment market we have, for example undertaken programmes with women from the sub-continent using, on one occasion dressmaking skills, on another preparing for a wedding and on a third horticulture skills. We may repeat such a programme or we may offer some new opportunity – the choice will depend on the interests of the beneficiary group.
In employment we have run a number of contextualised skills for life programmes – the first of these being for School Caretaking staff some five years ago where we embedded Basic Skills within the NVQ 2 curriculum.
Through such imaginative approaches we are able to respond to learner needs and overall then we will achieve the project aims through
- Effective partnership working
- Targeted promotion of opportunities –especially through “gate-keeper” organisations
- Delivering qualifications linked to or embedded in interest and hobby activity
- Undertaking delivery in locations close to where individuals live or work as research shows that individuals not engaged in learning will travel only short distances in the first instance.
For College staff a Virtual Learning environment has been established go to the following website http://www.nicenet.org and log your self in. For this you will need a log-in code which is available from your ESF Co-ordinator/Manager in college. This site will offer good practice between tutors and especially developed materials for ESOL can be posted here to share with other tutors doing the same course.
Forms for use in this project
Project will close on 31st March 2008
