SQA Higher National Unit:
Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults 2012-13
Edinburgh College will be running a course for the SQA Higher National Unit, Teaching
ESOL Literacies to Adults (SCQF level 9) from March to June 2013. You will gain a
national qualification on successful completion of the Unit. Please note that places on
the course are limited. This unit can form part of the SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner
Studies in TESOL (see below).
Course Fee: £200
Unit Information
This Unit is designed for candidates who are ESOL practitioners and intend to deliver, or
are already delivering, ESOL literacies within a variety of teaching contexts. The primary
focus is on adult ESOL literacies learning. It may also be appropriate for practitioners
working with upper secondary school age learners who have ESOL literacies needs. It is
designed to enable candidates to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver
learner-centred ESOL literacies learning.
On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:
1 Analyse and evaluate adult ESOL literacies within a Scottish context.
2 Identify and assess ESOL literacies learners and their learning needs.
3 Apply skills and strategies to support ESOL literacies learning.
4 Plan and deliver ESOL literacies learning.
Application Process and contact details
This Unit is particularly relevant to practitioners working in the public sector in Scotland
in college, community-based, voluntary, and work-based sectors. Applicants could also
be working with secondary school age pupils within an EAL environment.
Applicants must already possess a TESOL qualification at least at SCQF level 9 which
includes relevant assessed teaching practice in EFL or ESOL. Examples of
qualifications are:



Cambridge ESOL CELTA/DELTA or its predecessors
SQA PDA TESOL
Trinity College London Certificate in TESOL/Diploma in TESOL
Applicants must have access to authentic ESOL literacies learners and undertake
assessment of these learners to achieve this Unit.
Acceptance on to the course is based on information given in your application form. If we
require more information from you, we may conduct a telephone interview If you meet
the above requirements, can attend on the dates below and are interested in applying for
this course, please complete the online application form.
Course Structure and Dates
Start Date: 19 March 2013
End Date: 4 June 2013
Course delivery 30 hours face to face + 10 hours assignment completion
One evening session a week in college will run from 6 – 8.30pm on Tuesdays, plus
additional self study work linked to input sessions and assessments.
Week
Input
Deadlines & Assignments
Week 1
Introduction to ESOL Literacies
Introduction to literacy sub skills in reading &
writing
Initial Assessment
Developing reading skills
Developing Writing skills
Developing Numeracy skills
ILPs and assessing progress
Language experience approach
Introduction to literacy materials
Using authentic materials
Phonics & ICT
Set up assignment
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Learning styles
Teaching mixed ability classes
Learning Difficulties
Review and course evaluation
Profile & Initial assessment
complete
ILP complete
Lesson plans and materials
complete
Final hand in for reflective
account
Assessment
1. A completed Learner Profile and Initial Assessment of an ESOL literacies learner
2. An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) based on the Initial Assessment and Learner
Profile
3. Lesson plans with accompanying resource material for two lessons .
4. A reflective account on the ESOL literacies teaching and learning programme
Further information: PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL
(SCQF level 10)
This unit forms part of the SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL. There are
four Units in total (all available on a freestanding basis):
2 Mandatory units:


ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework (SCQF level 9)
English Language Analysis for TESOL (SCQF level 10)
1 optional unit from


Teaching Adult ESOL Literacies (SCQF level 9)
ESOL Syllabus Design (SCQF level 9)
These Units are aimed at practitioners who already hold TESOL qualifications and are
looking for professional development in specific ESOL related areas. They are
particularly relevant to practitioners working in the public sector in Scotland (college,
community-based, voluntary, and work-based sectors).
For further information, see:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42437.html
Edinburgh College currently offers 2 of these units:

Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults (SCQF level 9)

ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework (SCQF level 9)