TransQual English Language Training Programme Overview

 

 

ESOL Courses

Pre-ESOL, Overcoming Barriers:

Aims: overcoming barriers is an innovative first-step Pre-ESOL training course for migrant workers designed to help them overcome initial barriers and acquire Basic English sufficient for communications at work and in the community.

Objectives: to enable migrant workers  to develop and acquire Basic English skills that are occupationally specific, meeting both the employers needs and providing the learner  with the skills needed to progress within the workplace. 

Content: the main difference between ESOL and Adult Literacy is that ESOL learners potentially have a high level of educational attainment and qualifications in their home country and so their approach to learning would be very different from learners who are not literate in their first language. Language training at Pre-ESOL level needs to address two main barriers: a complete lack of knowledge of the English language, typical of mature people who completed their education and did not learn English at school, and a previous inadequate introduction to the English language. For example, tutors who concentrated on grammar and grammatical exercises giving learners the experience of English being a difficult language to master. It is perceived as a system they cannot comprehend.

Pre ESOL courses are shorter (3 hours x 12 weeks) and more work-focused than traditional ESOL qualifications, giving learners practical English skills in essential workplace matters, such as health & safety and customer service.  As well as better accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness, the new qualifications will help employers benefit from improved communication and productivity.

As part of the course each learner will receive an ESOL workbook and CD-ROM. Throughout the programme participants will have access to the on-site IT equipment and will be encouraged to use it to further develop their English language skills.

Where possible and appropriate the Pre-ESOL course will be delivered by bi-lingual tutors. The course programme will be based on the core curriculum developed by AccessEuropeHR and Polish British Integration Centre (PBIC) as part of the successful EEDA IiC funded Pre-ESOL course for Polish migrants in Bedfordshire and Luton in 2007 and in subsequent LSC funded projects in Hertfordshire offering language training to migrant workers.

Delivery: 3 hours a week for 12 weeks.

 
Level 3 Certificate in Adult English for ESOL:

Aims: to offer a standard ESOL qualification for migrant workers, staff and volunteers from organisations working with migrant worker and BME communities, where learners do not speak English as a first language. Participants will include bi-lingual tutors from migrant worker communities. All participants would need to demonstrate an adequate level of English; at least to Level 2 or GCSE grades A-C (participants with qualifications from other countries will have these qualifications converted to their UK equivalent through the NARIC database to confirm that they are qualified to enrol on the programme. Participants may already be working or volunteering as a vocational tutor or teaching assistant.

Objective: to enable participants to develop their knowledge of learning support theory and practice where learners speak English as a second language. To explore the personal, social and cultural factors that surround the use of language and to develop the skills required for supporting ESOL learning and build the capacity of Providers to deliver ESOL effective and meaningful provision.

The achievement of this qualification would allow the learner to become part of the pool of staff and volunteers used to deliver the Pre-ESOL course. Those learners who are bi-lingual would be able to work effectively with Pre-ESOL learning who are just starting to learn English and who would benefit from using their first language to help them make meaningful references or comparisons from their own culture and so improve their understanding of the English language.

Content: The course will contain 7 units covering the use of English language including, English language skills and factors influencing English language training, theoretical frameworks, language and literacy, learning and development and learning support practice.

Delivery: 3 hours a week for 30 weeks.


 Level 3 Certificate Technical and Managerial:

Aims: to offer a qualification to migrant workers who already have or have gained Basic English and who need to develop their skills at work and improve their knowledge and use of English in the working environment of the industry or sector in which they are employed.

Objective: to enable the participants to further develop their language skills in the specific context of the working environment of the industry or sector in which they are working. To acquire and improve communication and team work skills, becoming a valued member of the team thereby increasing their contribution to the objectives of the company. The programme will help tackle barriers at work and improve their prospects for advancement and promotion.

By removing barriers to social integration it will also allow them to play an active role in the local community thereby increasing social inclusion.

Content: the course will contain 7 units covering management contextualised for either construction, healthy and social care or land based industries. The units will include health and safety, first aid, team working, supervision, time-keeping and communications (written, spoken, listening and reading).

Delivery: 3 hours a week for 30 weeks.


Signposting 1

 
ESOL, Level 2 Embedded:

Aims: offers and ‘entry level' route to English language training embedded within a Train to Gain full Level 2. This radical and innovative approach to language training combines skills training with the acquisition of essential English for use in the workplace.

Objectives: offers an alternative introduction to migrants who also need to acquire a Level 2 qualification. This unique programme trialled with an engineering and a distribution company based in Luton has already delivered two cohorts through a successful pilot funded by the LSC as part of its regional Train to Gain programme. It is envisaged that the programme will be rolled out to 3 key SSC's - Construction, Health and Safety and LANTRA - which form part of the 5 priority growth sectors for the East of England.

Content: course materials developed for the Pre-ESOL Overcoming Barriers course will form part of the extensive knowledge pool of contextualised materials to support the delivery of ESOL Level 2 embedded to 3 SSC's making the English language component specific to the sector. The course material developed through the LSC funded pilot by Bedford College will be used as a starting point, final decisions about themes and materials will be used as a starting point. Final decisions about themes and materials will be discussed with the relevant SSC and through focus groups drawn from employers within the industry.

Learners will be made aware of other language training opportunities, including where appropriate, the ESOL at Work programme. Migrant workers with specialist language needs would be signposted to specialist provision to meet their particular needs.

Delivery: 2 hours a week for 12 weeks

Signposting 2


ESOL for WORK Qualifications, Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 and Levels 1 and 2

Aims: ‘second step' follow-on for migrants who have completed ESOL Pre-Entry. The new, recently launched ESOL - At Work programme is aimed at migrants in employment and provides a contextualised learning experience. As a follow-on this course is intended for learners who are able to pay for the cost of learning, perhaps with employer support which could take the form of a financial contribution and / or time off work to attend.

Objectives: to improve the level of English and help them prepare for a qualification at Entry Level 3 or Level 1. This is important for communications at work and as a pre requisite for migrants who may want to settle and achieve UK citizenship.

Content: the courses will confirm to the published criteria for ESOL - AT Work programme. It will cover all skills modes - speaking, listening, reading and writing - but with the main focus on the first three. The content is focussed on the workplace including, customer care, first aid and health and safety. They are offer at either Entry Level 3 or Level 1. 

Participants will be made aware of Skills for Life ESOL and other specialist training opportunities.

 

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