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(Please reply to Tanya Ward, [log in to unmask]) Dear all, In July 2000, the Irish Government published the White Paper on Adult Education - Learning for Life. In section 8.13 it proposed that asylum seekers would have "free access to adult literacy, English language and mother culture supports" (p.173) and that the scope for providing a national programme for language provision should be explored through education providers. As a first step, it recommended that a study should be undertaken to assess the language needs of asylum seekers. I have been hired by the Dept. of Education and Science to undertake this research. The overall objective of this project is to: (a) Draw a profile of the asylum seeking community in Dublin and (b) Assess their literacy and language needs with a view to formulating an integrated and community-based approach. The profile will be based on the following variables: age, gender, mother tongue, country of origin, cultural background, educational background, domestic situation and familial relationships, language provision to date and location. The results of a survey will be mapped. Particular attention will be paid to the needs and experiences of vulnerable categories such as people with disabilities, older people, women, separated children and torture victims. In addition, an evaluation of current language provision will be carried out. It is intended that the project will address issues around co-ordination and referral between agencies; networking and information exchange; learning sites; childcare; teaching programmes and materials; targeted interventions; outreach centres and family groups; accreditation and the role of European initiatives. I would appreciate if any of you could send details on information and literature that you believe may be relevant to this study. Moreover, I would be interested to hear from anyone doing a similar study or piece of research. My contact details are as follows: Tanya Ward Asylum Seeker Research Officer City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee 1 Parnell Square Dublin 1 Tel: 353 1 874 6607 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Thank you for your assistance. Yours faithfully, Tanya Ward Note: The material contained in this communication comes to you from the Forced-migration Discussion List which is moderated by the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC), University of Oxford. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the RSC or the University. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this message please retain this disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online! http://photos.yahoo.com/