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Language Gateways
Start date: Jul 31, 2016, End date: Jul 30, 2017 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Language Gateways (LG) will provide mobilities for VET Learners in the vocational field of Teaching English, with a focus on teaching English to refugee, migrant and disadvantaged communities. Learners will be placed in 60 day placements, hosted in six language academies in Seville in Andalusia, Spain. Our project will last one year.Language Gateways will support participants in developing their skills and experience so they can access jobs and contribute to an equal society after the placement. We will have 21 participants leaving for Seville in three groups of seven. Participants will likely be:- Any age over 18- Based across the UK- Unemployed or in training who want to go into the vocation of teaching English.- Be motivated to use English to help integration in the EU, migrants, refugees and social cohesion.The objectives of LG are to:-Provide high quality vocational training placements to English teacher trainees and recent (within 1 year of graduating) qualified individuals-For participants to leave LG better able to secure employment in language work whilst improving their ability to work internationally and with different groups in the UK-Contribute to addressing the needs of all learners and also of refugee and immigrant communities across the EU-Use language training and dissemination of results to increase skills, cultural interaction and multilinguism in the EU.These 60 day placements are based on discussions amongst all our partners and our recent experience of what time frame allows learners to improve their skills, develop personally and achieve their objectives.In the UK and EU, the need for teachers with high quality, internationally recognised English language teaching qualifications has never been greater. 7.7 percent of the population do not speak English as a first language with 4.2 million people reporting another main language (Language in England and Wales,ONS,2015). Recent Census figures showed that across England 1.7% of the population (900,000 people) have either no, or poor spoken English (Bringing people together...DCLG, 2014). These people face significant barriers in participating fully in local, national and European life. Secondly, according to UNHCR, 1 million refugees arrived in Europe in 2015 alone, four times as many in 2014, with trends continuing in 2016. Learning English and other EU languages is an essential component of the EU's strategy on social cohesion (Social Cohesion in Member States, EU, 2014) and we need language teachers who are motivated to contribute to this issue. Furthermore, the EU has set the goal that every citizen should have the opportunity to acquire at least two foreign languages, from an early age. This project addresses that goal directly. The need for innovative ways to reach and teach all learners but also isolated people and new arrivals means the placement will also provide training for participants to experience a variety of ways of practicing their vocation that they could not get in the UK. English academies in Andalusia are world class and have particular approaches for LG participants to bring back to the UK.We will recruit "for attitude" as well as experience, qualifications and skills and aim for a positive group in each flow who can inspire peer to peer learning.After recruitment has occurred, Language Gateways takes place over three main stages:1) Preparation - professional, linguistic and cultural2) VET Placement - orientation, initial shadowing of staff, work placement 3) Aftercare - development in placement and development of work related skills.Prior to their departure to Spain, participants will benefit from a range of training, information and and systems that aim to help them maximise the outcomes of the placement. Preparation training in London will equip them personally and professionally.Placements will enable participants to gain vocational and professional skills, broaden their knowledge of the sector and develop enhanced intercultural awareness, which, along with improved teaching and personal skills, will support them in accessing employment opportunities in the UK and EU. We will provide them with post placement support to help access employment, career progression or further training opportunities, on their return.Sustainability is very important to LG. One of the key ways in which we can have a national impact is firstly through dissemination of results. And secondly through sharing the learning of the teachers. We will work with them during the three flows to create a final toolkit which will share their learning so that it can be passed on to other trainee teachers at the UK consortium members schools but also to other schools and colleges throughout the UK. This toolkit will be an open educational resource.Placements start in October when the first group of 9 participants travel to Spain. The second group will leave in January and the final group in April.
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