Welcome to the third edition of Netword Languages Direct,
the ezine for teachers who work in adult and further education.
Adult education news
'Is the world our oyster? Languages for
life'
CILT’s Summer Conference for teachers and
managers of adult languages in adult and further education
Wednesday July 8th at the Institut Français, London
This year's exciting event organised in partnership with the
Institut Français will showcase latest resources, initiatives and
teaching approaches and provide the opportunity to debate the way
forward for language learning for adults, given the challenges
posed by government policy and funding. Programme and registration
details will shortly be appearing on the CILT website, for any
further information please email Katherine Evans 
‘The Learning Revolution’, the long - awaited
government White Paper on ‘informal’ (unaccredited) adult learning
was published on March 23rd 2009
‘It aims to bring to life a new 21st century vision to help adults
learn for pleasure and personal and community development.
The White Paper outlines what the whole of Government can do to
support learning for pleasure, including funding innovative new
ideas and projects, helping to broker access to learning,
especially for disadvantaged groups and older people, and building
a culture of learning across society.’ Read the government White
Paper
press release or to see the full document
click here
Holiday Spanish’ Classes hit the
headlines
The Campaigning Alliance for Life Long Learning (CALL) which held a
packed lobby of parliament in February to protest at the loss of
almost 1.9 million adult learning places has prompted repeated
ministerial mentions of ‘Holiday Spanish’ classes.
More...
ALL Conference ‘Language World 2009
This year’s ALL conference includes a special event for the adult
education languages community on April 3rd in Leicester.
More...
Final consultation events on the new Diploma in
Languages and International
Communication
Events in April
and May organised by QCA will give stakeholders a final chance to
have their say on the newly titled Diploma in Languages and
International Communication.
The new Qualifications and Credit Framework and CILT
research survey into Languages and NVQ
The government is in the final stages of reforming vocational
qualifications in the UK. A core element of this is the new
Qualifications and Credit Framework, the QCF, which could have
far-reaching implications for adult learning. All existing
vocational qualifications are being mapped across to the new
framework. CILT is seeking your views on vocational language
qualifications.
Funded opportunities for tutor visits and CPD
abroad
The EU Grundtvig programme provides an opportunity for staff
working with adult learners to improve their practical skills and
gain a broader understanding of lifelong learning across Europe.
Grants are available to work shadow, attend a conference or seminar
in a European country.
Featuring your initiatives from across the country
Let’s communicate. A Handbook for
Language Teachers in Adult Education
Let’s
Communicate was published in 2008. It is the product of an
Action Research Project at Oaklands College, St Albans, sponsored
by the Quality Improvement Agency (now Learning and Skills
Improvement Service LSIS) subject learning coach network.
Further resources
The Open University has placed more than 200
free educational audio and video materials on ITunes
U for students of Spanish, French and German from
beginners to advanced. Find out
more
BBC Languages
• Simple and Fun: Essential phrases
in 36 languages
• Advanced: News and
audio in 32 languages
• Step courses available in 4 languages: Weekly emails on learning
tips
• BBC Active publications