Have access to a Skills for Life learner and that learner's work with Literacy skills at or below level 2 (NQF); be able to record 5 minutes of their spoken language.

You will be asked to send for a variety of free resources from DfES and NRDC; a full list and contact details will be handed out to you but will include:

Delivering Skills for Life (DfES)
Literacy Core Curriculum (2001) Basic Skills Agency
ESOL Core Curriculum (2002) Basic Skills Agency
Access for All (2001) Basic Skills Agency
Pre-Entry Core Curriculum (2001) Basic Skills Agency
Moser, C et al (1999) Improving Literacy and Numeracy: a fresh start; London, DfEE
DFES (2002) Success for All: Reforming Further Education and Training; London, HMSO

You will also need to sign up to receive free journals, if you do not already do so:
Basic Skills Agency Magazine Reflect (NRDC)
SfL Update

The PDC also subscribes to paid for journals such as Adults Learning (NIACE) and these will be available to view in the PDC.

Collaborative research on one of the following topics:
- The development of the English language in both spoken and written forms
- The changing nature of Literacy
- English as a world language
- How English is used throughout the media, scientific and business world.
You will then (in your collaborative group) present your finding back to the main group in a 15 minute presentation using two different forms of media.
Weighting - 20%; learning outcomes 1a, 4 and 6)

Case study and analysis of a SfL Literacy learner?s spoken and written skills, error analysis and an ILP to identify future targets for learning. Including an analysis of background, motivation and barriers to learning including learning difficulties and disabilities.
Weighting - 80%; learning outcomes 1b, 2, 3, 5 & 7

Collaborative research into the history of the English language will be undertaken, outlining some of the major changes it has experienced. There will then be an introduction to the key grammatical, lexical and phonological terms, including an exploration of socio-linguistics. Through the use/analysis of authentic Skills for Life learner?s work, there will be opportunities to bring together theory and practice.

Participants will attend 9 x 3 hour sessions spread over 9 weeks.
Specific acquisition of the mechanics of the language is through elicitation of prior knowledge, presentation of the key concepts and a series of exercises to consolidate the information both in hard copy and on the Moodle..

There will be peer and tutor presentations, group learning and case studies. You will have access to group and individual tutorials, where you will be encouraged to manage your own learning. There will be opportunities for group reading and discussions, above all the delivery will be modelling the practice you will be using in skills for life classroom. Throughout each session you will be encouraged to be a reflective learner as well as a reflective practitioner.

This is an extensive list but many of the texts listed may only refer to a few pages within that text, all texts or parts of texts will be provided by the PDC to your Buddy Group.

Indicative Reading:
Barton, D. & Tusting, K. 2006. Models of Adult Learning: A Literature Review, NRDC Literature Review. Leicester. NIACE
Barton, D. & Tusting, K. 2005. Beyond Communities of Practice: Language, power and social context. Cambridge. Cambridge Univerisity Press.
Wenger, E. 2006. Communities of Practice. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press
Oshima, A & Hogue, A. 2002 Introduction to Academic Writing. Longmann.
Crystal, D. 2003 The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. Cambridge University Press.
Fromkin, V & Rodman, R. 2003 An Introduction to Language. Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
Yule, G. 1996 The Study of Language. Cambridge University Press.
Jeffries, L. 2006 Discovering Language. Hampshire, UK : Palgrave
Murphy, R. 1998 Essential Grammar in Use / 1994 English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press.
Parker, R. & Graham, T. 2005. An introduction to the Phonology of English for Teachers of ESOL. Brighton. ELB Publishing.
Trudgill, P. 2002 Sociolinguistics. London. Penguin.
Romaine, S. 2000 Language in Society. Oxford: OUP
Coupland, N. & Jaworski, A. 2001. sociolinguistics: A Reader & Coursebook. Hampshire UK: Palgrave.
P Lightbown & N Spada `How Languages are Learned? 1998 Oxford University Press
Hamilton, M. & Hillier, Y. 2006. Changing Faces of Adult Literacy, Language and Numeracy: a Critical History
Reece, I. Walker, S. (2003) Teaching, Training and Learning: A Practical Guide. 5th Edition. Business Education. London
Petty, G. (2004) Teaching Today: A Practical Guide. Nelson Thornes. Cheltenham
Jacobsen, Y. 2007. e-learning for adults with learning difficulties. Leicester. NIACE.
McKeown, S. 2006. supporting adult learners with Dyslexia. Leicester. NIACE

PDC Moodle
www.staffspdc.org.uk