ESOL Family Learning

Adult Learning has been running a programme in Troon to support some of the families who have recently become residents of Ayrshire. Many of the families are supported through the SEASCAPE housing charity who worked hard to help them integrate and settle in South Ayrshire.    

It’s a mixed level ESOL and ESOL Literacies group.  Some of the ladies have had little or no formal education in their first language.  Some never attended school at all, others left at 11 or 12 years old.   For those who have not learned to read and write in their own language, learning the Roman alphabet is a huge challenge.

There has been great progress made in the short time we have been working together.  Students have shown enthusiasm and determination and most can now write their name and address. Two of them are attending Ayrshire College ESOL classes and it is hoped that others may progress to this in 2016. 

We are grateful to Troon Lighthouse staff for their hospitality and generosity during this pilot phase.  We are moving to Seagate Church in Troon in January where there will be a crèche with qualified child care workers.  This will allow the women to concentrate on their learning, knowing their children are well looked after in the adjacent room.   

We finished off the December teaching term learning about Christmas traditions and singing Carols! 

Susan Wilson

Cash For Kids day

Thanks to everyone who took part in our fundraiser for Cash for Kids, either by wearing something festive or donating to our collection.

We raised a total of £110, with people choosing to wear Christmas jumpers, Christmas hats, a bit of tinsel or Christmas jewellery!

Cash for Kids use the donations to lend a helping hand to disabled or disadvantaged children in the local area.

Thank you all for helping another worthy cause this Christmas!

Gail

The Learning Shop donates to the Food Bank

Instead of spending money on "Secret Santa" gifts this year, the staff decided to make donations to the food bank. The response to this has been great with tutors and students also joining in the spirit of giving! Thanks to all who have taken part in donating to this cause and adding to this fantastic donation for people in need this Christmas!

Gail

It's Book Week Scotland!

Staff, students and tutors across Adult Learning are taking part in Book Week Scotland.

If you would like to take part, all you have to do is take a photo of yourself holding a book you've enjoyed, write a couple of sentences about why you enjoyed it and send it to Gail at gail.douglas@south-ayrshire.gov.uk - and I'll add it to our presentation which will be running in The Learning Shop for the next couple of weeks!

Every entry will receive a free book from our stock at The Learning Shop and will also be entered into a prize draw to win a book token.

Go on, have a go! Let's get everyone reading!

ESOL tutor training

There will be an opportunity to attend  ESOL Tutor Training on

Wednesday 28th October 2015 from 9.30am to 4pm
Wednesday 4th November 2015 from 10am to 4pm.

If you are interested please contact the Learning Shop for more details on 01292263304


We can only accommodate 12 tutors in the Adult Learning Room in the John Pollock Centre Ayr so early booking will guarantee you a place.  Please confirm your attendance by 14th October. A light lunch will be provided each training day and if you have any dietary requirements please let us know.

 

Volunteer Tutor Awards

Congratulations to the seventeen volunteers who recently passed Adult Learning’s Volunteer Tutor Training course. They were a really great group who contributed so much during their course.

On Tuesday 11^th August, they met at The Learning Shop to receive their certificates from Councillor Margaret Toner, the Lifelong Learning portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council.

We look forward to working with them all in the months ahead!

Eric & Julia

Resources for ESOL tutors

A new list of useful websites for ESOL tutors has been added to our Resources section of the Blog - click the resources tab at the top of the page, then click the link to tutor paperwork and you'll find the document in the list.

Gail