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Working with volunteers in migrant language education: roles and competences
Start date: Oct 1, 2016, End date: Sep 30, 2018 PROJECT  FINISHED 

In the context of increased migration to European countries the VIME project will develop a model to optimise the use of volunteers working alongside, and in collaboration with, professionals within migrant language and literacy education provision. Language and literacy education is vital in supporting the integration of adult migrants. Not only because proficiency in the language and literacy of the host country are required for migrants to fully participate in society as citizens, employees and parents, but also because such provision plays an important role in the socialization of migrants, supporting them in understanding and participating in their new society. VIME will identify specific roles that volunteers can play in the language and literacy learning of migrants, describe the competences required for these roles and design training packages for each role.The partners are from the Netherlands, Uk, Slovenia and Denmark; all of the organisations are experienced in working with migrant education and in the use of volunteers in such provision. The partners will work in three circles with a central circle formed of a small group of expert organisations with great knowledge and expertise in second language learning, experience in research, concepts of ‘train the trainer’, the second circle consists of partners with rich experience in the use of professionals and volunteers in migrant language and literacy education. The involvement of the second circle partners will ensure that outputs are of practical use and are appropriate for a wide range of contexts in migrant language and literacy education. The third circle of partners not receive funding, but will act as critical friends, engaging with the project through multiplier events and will be interested expertise centres, policy makers and/or providers from other countries than the partner countries. The proposed three-circle structure will maximise the efficiency of the development process, facilitating the development of a model that brings value for all European countries.The target groups of the project are volunteers and professional teachers working in migrant language and literacy education, providers of such provision, policymakers and adult migrant learners.In the initial stage of the project we will carry out desk research and qualitative research with learners, volunteers and professionals to develop role descriptors and competence profiles for these roles as well as screening tools for migrant education providers to select appropriate volunteers and training packages to support the volunteers in carrying out the specified roles. In this stage we will also develop guidance for volunteers and professional teachers in modes of cooperation and a model for policy development regarding the deployment of professional staff and volunteers in migrant language and literacy education. The tools will be piloted by second circle partners and adjusted following evaluation feedback. Accordingly the development of the model, tools and guides will be theoretically grounded as well as quality assured by First, Second and Third Circle partners.The direct impact of VIME will initially be on the capacity of partner organisations to provide quality language education to migrants. The primary beneficiaries of the project will of course be the migrants who will benefit from more focused, informed and professional interventions from partner organisations and the volunteers they work with. As noted above, such education programmes are vital in supporting migrants in integrating into their new society. As such the long term benefits of VIME will be felt in improved social cohesion through improved educational outcomes for the children of migrants; greater productivity of migrant workers, both within individual work roles and by supporting them to meet their full economic potential; and improved engagement of migrants with civic issues such as local and national democracy, community schemes and efficient use of government services. Engagement of Third Circle partners in different European countries will ensure that this impact is felt beyond the four partner countries.

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