This will be a participative / interactive session for teachers of ESOL for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland. The first part of the session will deal with issues around inclusion and diversity. There will be a particular focus on the needs of adult Learners who are Beginners taking their first steps in English. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss their own experience and current issues with others in breakout rooms. There will also be some links to current work being developed in Cavan and Monaghan for Absolute Beginners.
In the second part of this session CMETB will present an introduction to a currently unaccredited programme developed by CMETB tutors for ESOL learners without any formal education in their country of origin. The rationale for designing this new programme will be explored briefly and some problems identified. An outline of the programme will be presented. Teaching resources, methodologies and sample assessments will be shared. Progression opportunities for learners will also be mentioned.
Time will also be allocated for discussion.
By the end of the session participants will have greater awareness of some significant issues and some options for how they can be addressed in the ESOL classroom.

The target audience for this event is: All FET staff members with an interest in ESOL. This session is particularly relevant to ESOL tutors and co-ordinators and those working with learners from other countries. Adult literacy tutors and co-ordinators may also be interested in this session.

Facilitation: This event will be facilitated by Arthur Mc Keown, Paula Owen and Kathy Bae.
Arthur Mc Keown worked until recently in the Business Institute in the Ulster Business School on a range of programmes for private, public and not for profit client organisations. He developed and implemented a wide range of training courses in business and management communication skills. Arthur was a teacher, teacher trainer and manager in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) for 15+ years. He has worked in Sweden, Libya and Kuwait as well as in the UK and Ireland and completed the RSA Dip TEFLA in 1977, with a Distinction in the Practical Tests, and an MBA (Henley, 1991) by distance learning. Arthur now contributes as a Volunteer at the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre, to the design, documentation and delivery of ESOL material for adult Learners, especially migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Belfast and beyond.
Paula Owen and Kathy Bae are CMETB Tutors of ESOL who have both worked in ESOL in various settings for more than 20 years.

Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto this session unless you are sure that you will attend / have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows, we can offer your booked place to another person.