How to get involved?
Individuals with a special interest and professional background in the topic of this particular project are invited to take up contact with the ECML National Nominating Authority in their country so that they can be considered for participation in the corresponding project workshop.
Project workshop in 2018 (23-24 October 2018)
Workshop focus
This workshop focuses on the professional development of practitioners supporting adults to develop work-related language skills in the majority language(s) of the country where they are resident. Typical learners include migrant/ethnic workers with particular emphasis on low-skilled workers.
Please note that the workshop is concerned with work-related language learning for adults.
Profile of participants
Professional background
Teacher trainers working in the field of adult second language learning; teacher trainers working in the field of vocational education and training; providers of work-related second language learning for adults; researchers with an interest in work-related language development; national skills policy makers; workforce development professionals; employer and trade union representatives.
Experience, competences required
Expertise/professional interest/practical engagement in professional development of practitioners working in the fields of adult second language learning and/or vocational education and training; readiness to engage with interdisciplinary issues and with participants from diverse professional backgrounds; capacity to support professional development in this field.
Expected involvement/tasks before, during and after the event
Before: Review arrangements in own country/region relevant to vocational language learning for migrant/ethnic workers; review professional development arrangements for practitioners in own country/region relevant to vocational language learning for migrant/ethnic workers; review (briefly) Language for Work website (http://languageforwork.ecml.at/)
During: Active participation, e. g. involvement in small group work, discussion of professional development practice in own and other countries/regions
After: Willingness to disseminate results in own country/region
Workshop outputs (for participants)
Resources to support professional development in the language-for-work field, including
- Language for work – A quick guide, How to help adult migrants develop work-related language skills
- "You are Welcome!" Successful Communication with the Public of Social Services - Strategies for decision makers and tips for staff to lower barriers in the communication with migrants and refugees
- Ways to support work-related language development, including a compendium of practice examples
- Overview of practitioner competences indicated for different types of support
- Language for Work Network resource centre
- Networking opportunities with expert collaborators
Workshop outcomes (for participants)
- Further development and dissemination of professional development tools
- Opportunity for active engagement in the Language for work network