July updates from NATECLA

The latest news from the National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults - the professional association for ESOL teachers.

Skills Funding Agency - regular updates - see link to weekly updates.

http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/allthelatest/providerupdate/

Extension of Key Skills for Apprenticeships July update 14
It has been confirmed that John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, has announced that Key skills in Apprenticeship Frameworks will be extended until March 2011. This will allow providers the choice of offering either Functional Skills or Key Skills until 31 March 2011.The Minister has stressed that this is a temporary measure to allow more flexibility for providers whilst they finalise their preparations for delivery of Functional Skills from April

Consultations on UK immigration

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) and the Migration Advisory Committee have both launched consultations on the cap on immigration. These consultations will run until September.

Limits on non-EU economic migration (June to September 2010) UK border agency
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/limits-on-non-eu-migration/
Consultation by the Migration Advisory Committee on the level of an annual limit on economic migration to the UK:http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/workingwithus/mac/mac-consultation-annual-limit/

The new publication 'Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners' has been published.
Originally developed by NIACE and LLU+ at London South Bank University in 2006 - in consultation with learners and practitioners and in 2009 the Home Office commissioned NIACE to update the pack. New and revised sections.  http://www.natecla.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=510

Skilled to go - Learning everyday consumer skills - a teachers' toolkit - new modules added: http://www.natecla.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=316

Functional Skills
The three-year functional skills pilot will shortly be completed. Functional skills pilot qualifications will therefore be withdrawn and new accredited qualifications will be available for teaching from 1 September 2010. Fully achieved pilot qualifications remain valid for learners in the future. Transitional arrangements have been put in place for partially achieved functional skills English qualifications, which means that pilot components can be counted towards a full qualification for the next 12 months.
QCDA http://www.qcda.gov.uk/news/6084.aspx

Functional skills support programme http://www.fssupport.org/

Museum of London is developing resources for ESOL students and tutors in collaboration with Southwark College. These resources, targeting Entry  levels 1-3 are  linked directly to the ESOL curriculum, will be developed in phases over the next year. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Learning/esol.htm

A step towards work or just stuck in a warehouse? LSIS  commissioned Mick Fletcher to review claims that the further education sector systematically misleads young people by offering courses that appear to lead to employment, but which in reality do not. The report examines the availability and validity of data on learner destinations and the potential for making better use of it: http://www.lsis.org.uk/AboutLSIS/MediaCentre/NewsArticles/Pages/DoesFEhelpyoungpeopleintoemployment.aspx

Compulsory English language tests will be introduced for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner: http://www.natecla.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=506

NATECLA Membership
Membership and Language Issues Journal subscription. Contact co-ordinator@natecla.fsnet.co.uk.
http://www.natecla.org.uk/content/482/explanation_of_categories/
Monthly updates http://www.natecla.org.uk/content/484/news,_events,_actions_&_update/

NATECLA National Centre
South Birmingham College, Hall Green Campus, Cole Bank Road, Birmingham B28 8ES
www.natecla.org.uk
Tel: 0121 688 8121
Mobile: 07875 683254