Embedding ESOL in vocational courses: Childcare with work experience

A South Thames ESOL Pathfinder Project

Aims
Investigation of National Curriculum used with learners on ESOL course with vocational focus on early year's childcare, at South Thames College

There were two full time ESOL course for people working with children:

• Embedded childcare for ESOL students, leading to...
  
• NVQ 2 Childcare for ESOL students

The courses were very successful in terms of retention and achievement, and enabled the students to think realistically about taking up work with children. In both groups students were able to look for work experience. Students from the original embedded childcare course progressed onto the NVQ 2, and the success rate was very high in terms of retention and achievement, as well as enabling some to obtain work in local schools and childcare groups. In many cases the students had not previously thought realistically about employment.A great deal of interesting and relevant course material was prepared, including language development linked to the National Curriculum, awareness of cultural factors affecting the work and information on the health service systems.

Contact details

Christine Kulkarni
South Thames College
Wandsworth High Street
London SW18 2PP
Email: christine.kulkarni@south-thames.ac.uk