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Free Training Opportunities for ESOL Practioners in Scotland

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24 November 2010

Free Training Opportunities for ESOL Practitioners Since the launch of the Adult ESOL Strategy for Scotland in 2007, SQA has been developing a suite of TESOL qualifications to provide professional development for ESOL practitioners in Scotland, in line with the Strategy’s aspiration of ‘a fully professional workforce with recognised career structures’ and its recognition that ‘ESOL practitioners need to show knowledge, technical competence, and expertise at a level consistent with effective programme delivery.’ The PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (G91E 46) was launched in 2008, and we are delighted that we are about to launch the PDA in TESOL at SCQF level 9 and a suite of Additional Units at SCQF level 9 and 10. SQA has contracted centres to create teaching and learning resources and to pilot these qualifications. TESOL Pilots Anniesland College in partnership with Scotland’s Colleges, Clydebank College and Stevenson College will be running pilot courses for the new qualifications from January 2011. The centres are currently recruiting for the courses. Courses will be free to participants, and you will gain a national qualification on successful completion of the Award or Unit. Places on the pilot courses are limited. PDA in TESOL at SCQF level 9 The PDA in TESOL at SCQF level 9 is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to teach ESOL effectively in a variety of contexts. You will work with an ESOL learner, observe experienced ESOL practitioners, learn how to analyse language and undertake 6 hours of teaching practice with ESOL groups. The qualification consists of four Units:  ESOL and the learners  English Language Frameworks (TESOL)  Language Skills (TESOL)  ESOL Planning and Delivery This qualification is aimed at new ESOL practitioners, or current practitioners who do not hold a recognised TESOL qualification at this level (eg Cambridge ESOL CELTA or the Trinity Cert TESOL or equivalent). While candidates are not required to have subject specific qualifications, it is appropriate if you have already taken a short introductory or online TESOL/TEFL course or if you have completed the SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (G91E 46). Stevenson College, Edinburgh is piloting this qualification. For more information please contact: Sarah Woolard: swoolard@stevenson.ac.uk Additional Units The ‘additional’ Higher National Units are nearly complete and will also be piloted. We hope to validate these Units as a Professional Development Award early in 2011. At the moment the levels and titles of the Units are in working versions, and due to be finalised in early January. There are four Units (all available on a freestanding basis):  Teaching Adult ESOL Literacies (SCQF level 9)  Assessing ESOL Learning in the Scottish Context (SCQF level 9)  ESOL Syllabus Design (SCQF level 9)  English Language Analysis for TESOL (SCQF level 10) These Units are aimed at practitioners who already hold TESOL qualifications and are looking for professional development in specific ESOL related areas. They are particularly relevant to practitioners working in the public sector in Scotland (college, community-based, voluntary, and work-based sectors). Teaching Adult ESOL Literacies will replace the PDA in ESOL Literacies: Teaching Adults Reading, Writing and Numeracy. This Unit is designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with Adult ESOL literacies learners. Anniesland College, Glasgow, in partnership with Scotland’s Colleges, is piloting this Unit. For more information please contact: Jim Brady at Anniesland College: jim.brady@anniesland.ac.uk Assessing ESOL Learning in the Scottish Context is designed to develop the skills and knowledge to assess ESOL learners, particularly within the Scottish Framework. Stevenson College, Edinburgh is piloting this Unit. For more information please contact: Ann Morgan-Thomas at Stevenson College: amorgan-thomas@stevenson.ac.uk ESOL Syllabus Design is designed to develop the knowledge and skills to develop effective syllabi for a variety of ESOL teaching contexts. English Language Analysis for TESOL This unit is designed to develop knowledge and skills about the English language, with a focus on language acquisition, grammar and syntax, lexis and semantics, phonology, and discourse. Clydebank College, West Dunbartonshire is piloting both these Units. For more information, please contact: Stephen Brown at Clydebank College: sbrown@clydebank.ac.uk For any other details on the SQA TESOL Project, please contact: Jen MacDougall (TESOL Development Manager) jennifer.macdougall@sqa.org.uk Susan Spence (TESOL Development Officer) susan.spence@sqa.org.uk

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