Literacies and English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)
Adults with English as a second or additional language are one of the seven priority groups identified in the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Report (ALNIS 2001). Part of the role of Learning Connections is to support the literacies partnerships in improving and increasing provision for these learners.
ESOL and adult literacies network
Learning Connections runs an ESOL and adult literacies network. For further information contact Clare El Azebbi. Also see the latest network update below:
ESOL network update (May 2007)
Training
The PDA in ESOL Literacies: Teaching Adults Reading, Writing and Numeracy has been developed as part of the Scottish Executive's commitment to an active ESOL agenda.
This Professional Development Award (PDA) is a double Credit Unit and is set at SCQF level 8 in the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework.
It is an award which sets standards for experienced practitioners who are already ESOL qualified and who wish to continue their professional development.
What does it cover?
- Understanding of current context and key principles of good practice in teaching adult ESOL learners reading, writing and numeracy skills
- Applying approaches and strategies to initiate and develop reading, writing and numeracy skills with your learners
- Creating and adapting materials
- Evaluating and assessing through practical experience and reflection
How do I find out more?
For more information about the PDA in ESOL Literacies contact the SQA's Customer Contact Centre, telephone 0845 279 1000.
A training pack, which was developed by the Glasgow ESOL Forum, is available on Adult Literacies Online. Contact Clare El Azebbi for further information.
An Introduction to teaching ESOL
Learning Connections is addressing the need for ESOL support for local adult literacies partnerships with the provision of training for literacies tutors who are working with ESOL learners. Copies of the training pack An Introduction to teaching ESOL were sent to each literacies partnerships in July 2006. For further information, contact Clare El Azebbi.
Pathfinders
The Welcoming is a Pathfinder project by the Adult Learning Project in Edinburgh which developed language skills through sharing culture and discussing social issues.
Variety of Provision
Examples of ESOL provision for literacies learners include:
- beginner ESOL courses provided by further education, community education and voluntary organisations
- ESOL learners attending first language literacies groups
- separate groups for men and women and mixed groups
- groups with bi-lingual tutors
- help you child with reading courses
- ICT courses
- a course on using the local library
- a healthy living course including sessions in the gym
ESOL Resources Reviews
At the end of 2004 Learning Connections offered Partnerships the opportunity of applying for an ESOL literacy resource grant in return for recommending and sharing resources which have proved useful when working with an ESOL literacies learner.
The resulting list of resources reviews is a selection of materials recommended by ESOL literacy workers across Scotland. Please note that the comments are from practitioners across Scotland, and not Learning Connections. We hope you will find them useful.
ESOL Research
A Scottish study, National "English for speakers of other languages" (ESOL) Strategy: Mapping Exercise and Scoping Study of English has been produced by the Scottish Executive. The aim is to provide quantitative data on the student and teaching populations in Scotland.
The New and the Old - The Report of the "Life in the United Kingdom" Advisory Group
Useful links
Here is a selection of links to organisations involved in ESOL and literacies. If you would like to recommend other useful ESOL links, please email Clare El Azebbi.
Please note that these are not specifically endorsed by Learning Connections.
The Glasgow ESOL Forum
The Glasgow ESOL 2000 Survey
London Language & Literacy Unit A national consultant and professional development centre working in the areas of literacy, numeracy and ESOL
Talent Website Based on English Core Curriculum. Teaching resources, forum and national updates
ERIC Digest Education Resources Information Centre (USA)