The actions to achieve these aims are detailed in the table below. Some will be achieved through existing capabilities and funding routes within the Scottish Executive ( ETTLD and Communities Scotland, and the Development Department). Others will require new resources.
| Action | Who | Outcome | Resources | By When |
|---|
1 | Work with Colleges, and other ESOL providers as appropriate, to - Significantly expand ESOL provision;
- Increase the number of teachers trained in ESOL delivery; and
- Improve ESOL learning & teaching resources
| Scottish Executive- ETLLD | Provide approximately 4,000 additional classroom places Provide substantial additional qualified teachers Provide improved learning & teaching resources | Significant new resources | To commence immediately, with expansion of provision to be achieved by June 2008 |
2 | Using latest available data, map existing provision and unmet demand to identify and prioritise where more ESOL provision needs to be targeted | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/Communities Scotland. | Available resources are targeted appropriately | Existing resources | June 2007 |
3 | i) Set up and maintain a national panel of ESOL experts and stakeholders | i) Scottish Executive- ETLLD | Expertise to lead implementation of the strategy and advise on ESOL issues across sectors is sourced to ensure that policy developments and local need are dealt with effectively | New resources | June 2007 |
ii) Plan and issue quarterly e-newsletter to inform interested stakeholders of ESOL news and development, national and local area | ii) National Panel |
4 | 32 CLD Partnerships to identify provision to coordinate ESOL impact regionally, supported by Scottish Executive | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/ Communities Scotland/ CLD Partnerships | Local partners and stakeholders collaborate more effectively to improve service delivery and coordination | Existing/New | August 2007 & ongoing |
5 | Set up and maintain a national ESOL website to disseminate good practice, promote ESOL provision and professional development and link to relevant websites and publications | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/National Panel | ESOL providers and learners can keep informed about the latest national developments and available ESOL provision | New | September 2007 |
6 | Produce and publish information (in a variety of languages) on funding principles regarding ESOL provision across sectors | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/ Communities Scotland/ National Panel | ESOL learners and providers are aware of and understand eligibility and funding streams | New | September 2007 |
7 | i) Map existing accredited ESOL learner qualifications onto SCQF framework | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/ Communities Scotland/ SQA/National Panel/ CLD Partnerships/Learners | High quality learning programmes are developed to respond to the needs and goals of ESOL learners | New | March 2008 |
ii) explore SCQF levelling of learning programmes |
ii) Develop a curriculum framework for ESOL, teaching, learning and assessment |
8 | i) Map existing provision to identify levels of existing programmes and gaps | Scottish Executive - ETLLD/ Communities Scotland/ SQA/ National Panel/ CLD Partnerships | Learners can progress into other learning, work and community participation | New | April 2008 |
ii) Create structures which facilitate progression |
iii) measure progress |
9 | i) Map professional development pathways for ESOL practitioners, identify gaps and develop appropriate professional awards | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/ National Panel | Staff and volunteers (if involved) are appropriately qualified in a context that links the qualifications to other related professional qualification structures and standards | i) Existing/New | January 2008 |
ii) Develop a Continuing Professional Development structure for ESOL practitioners | ii) New | March 2008 |
iii) Consider ways of supporting voluntary organisations to enable them to maintain and expand CPD | iii) New | April 2008 |
10 | i) Develop screening and assessment tools in order to place learners appropriately, plan learning and monitor progress | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/ Communities Scotland/ National Panel | Screening and assessment methods are in place to place the learner appropriately in the right type of available provision | New | December 2007 |
| ii) roll out of training to different sectors | August 2008 |
11 | i) Develop and disseminate a "Best Practice in ESOL" framework to help practitioners deliver the best possible learning experience to meet the needs of ESOL learners. Include effective models including college, community, voluntary and work. Involve HMIE | | Practitioners develop their knowledge and skills for successful learning and teaching | New | December 2007 |
ii) Develop and disseminate good quality and appropriate learning materials through the ESOL website (ref. action 4, above) | August 2007 ongoing |
iii) Develop a programme of research including practitioner action-base research in order to help inform, shape and develop future ESOL provision in Scotland | March 2008 ongoing |
iv) Organise a national seminar/seminars to share effective practice across sectors | November 2008 |
12 | Work with employers, trade unions, Higher Education Institutions and others to support and develop 'English for vocational purposes' and 'English for further study' courses | Scottish Executive- ETLLD/National Panel/ CLD Partnerships | Learners have better opportunities to progress into other learning and/or work | New | December 2008 |