ESOL learners and the National Literacy Certificate – Promoting achievement

1. ESOL learners and the National Literacy Certificate – Promoting achievement

2. What isthe move on approach? A national development aimed at helping adults to brush up their skills at Levels One and Two and a key part of the government’s Skills for Life strategy The National literacy qualification is the ESOL reading assessment and is used as an incentive and a means of accrediting skills as part of a wider skills programme Engages and trains sign posters and recruiters in the community, in education and in the workplace who have frequent contact with potential learners

3. move onoffers learners free skills check/test ‘taster’ as appropriate individual learning plan strand 1strand 2 Preparation to take the test -writing and speaking and with skills practice listening - own focus National Certificate entry advice on opportunities to build on success and progress to other courses

4. What are the National Tests like? Short (1 hr literacy, 1¼ hr numeracy) and accessible40 multiple-choice questions - like theory driving test Available monthly, weekly and on a daily basis On paper and on-screen Based on everyday subjects, e.g. home or work

5. The National Qualifications and ESOL learners • An ESOL good practice guide has been developed to support the updated National Test Toolkit. (Move On with a National Qualification) The guide has been written following: - the collection of updated findings from the Pathfinder projects - consultation with representatives from BSA, QCA, NATECLA, practitioners, the Skills for Life Strategy Unit and Move On

6. Key elements of the ESOL guide • Guidance for tutors on supporting learners • Guidance for learners • Case Studies • Consideration of the characteristics of ESOL learners who would benefit from the Move On approach • Information on becoming a test centre

7. Feedback on the advantages for ESOL learners of taking the national certificates: • Parity of opportunity • Growing acceptance of the validity of certificates by employers • Choice of assessment methods - on screen or by weekly, now daily paper test in a range of settings • Positive reactions of learners

8. Preparation time for learners Time to complete the assessment itself e.g. 40 multiple choice questions to be completed in one hour in literacy The Move On approach is designed for learners within reach of Levels One or Two in their literacy skills. Some learners may need a longer preparation time It is important that judgements about Level One or Two reading skills and preparation are not confused with judgements about speed of reading in the tests Challenges explored in research

9. Concerns about the use of idiomatic language The scope of the test samples skills from the curriculum Range of text sources Range of registers Text types and purposes Vocabulary and expression in line with the above Challenges explored continued:

10. Resources available to support the MoveOn approach For instance: • New website of practice questions www.itembank.org.uk • Teacher support pack • Move on posters and publicity materials • Contextualised questions (e.g. childcare) • Move On Your CV • Preparation for testing • Money Management module • The ESOL Good Practice Guide

11. Practice tests on paper and on-screen move on with the National Test Toolkit The Menu from the CD-ROM:

12. move onweb site move on web site

13. move oncontacts move on web site www.move-on.org.uk Jo Swindellsjos@ctad.co.uk 07748 988 145