Highland Adult Literacies Partnership leads the way in the delivery of a brand-new qualification

Ten Highland tutors have just completed the new Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) first-stage professional development award entitled ‘Introduction to Tutoring English for Speakers of Other Languages’ (ESOL). With funding from the Highland Adult Literacies Partnership (Highland Council), Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Social Fund, the Workers Educational Association have run the pilot programme from September to December 2009 in Inverness. The award is aimed at ESOL tutors, volunteers and tutor assistants and sits at Level 6 on the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework.

One of the guiding principles of the national ESOL strategy for Scotland (March 2007) is quality provision that is easily accessible, cost-effective and uses best practice in the teaching and learning of languages. This SQA accredited training is a response to the Scottish Governments’ goal and to the significant number of migrant workers and ethnic minority learners attending English classes in the Highlands.

The ten participants come from a variety of backgrounds, including mainstream teaching, training, nursing and the law, and are currently involved in tutoring one to one or small groups in Inverness, Ross-shire, Sutherland and Badenoch and Strathspey.

The certificates will be awarded at the WEA Office, 57 Church Street, Inverness at 1pm on Friday 4th December.

Further information about the course can be obtained from:

Gillian Scott, ESOL Quality Development Coordinator: g.scott @ weascotland.org.uk
The Workers' Educational Association
David Whyte House
57 Church Street
Inverness
IV1 1DR
Tel: 07851 413276