Impact

Education bodies, training centres and community groups find the START modules beneficial in supporting migrants who are looking to learn new skills and find work in the UK and Ireland.

Tutors are also supported in gaining insights into the culture of the migrant learner’s country of origin through the Tutor Induction Programme.

Tutors believe that START has provided a useful learning experience and complements the existing community-based support within the country. The course materials which are available in various languages are clear and concise, providing clear sign-posting to existing physical or virtual information sites and services.

Tutors who participated in the Cultural Induction Programme said that it made them aware of what students have to leave behind and the pressures they face adapting to a new way of life with new surroundings and cultures. They felt that the experience has been very worthwhile and they have acquired a better understanding of the backgrounds of the considerable number of students both in Lithuania and Poland.

On the other hand; the students have the opportunity to include the cert into their CV, which will be beneficial as they try to get a better job. They may receive their diploma from their own country, recognised then in the UK.

Track record of sharing

To download free resources, tutors and learners should go to: www.migrantict.eu.

Lessons learnt

Learning Environment Management English will not be the learners’ first language so the learners should feel free to:

• Help each other by translating instructions and discussions as required
• Use dictionaries (soft and hard copy)
• Feel free to ask for further explanation and examples to highlight what is being explained.

This means the tutor should:

• Use simple language where possible and only use jargon when necessary
• Allow interruption at anytime, which may not be directly pointed at them but amongst the learners (this may appear as though the learners are talking across the tutor when in fact they are supporting each other)
• Avoid asking closed questions as these do not show the learner has understood the point. If the learner’s answer is “Yes” or “No”, ask “why?”
• Be prepared to take a completely different approach if a topic or discussion is proving unsuccessful
• Use as many different teaching styles and methods as possible in an effort to maximise the learners’ own learning experiences
• Allow learners to work at their own pace.
• Avoid over use of the lecturing style. In other words let the learners diversify in the same lesson. For example, one student may be researching employment rights while another is researching travel and tourism, or one student may be working on their CV while another is trying mock interviews.