Message
I understand and appreciate all that Jan (ABNI) is saying
about short Citizenship courses.
The ones I referred to were for learners whose English is
at an Entry level not sufficiently high to deal with the on-line test. I am not
suggesting that any of these short courses are not legitimate, or that
providers are misleading people. They are not, as publicity material I have
seen is comprehensive and accurate. However, many of these learners I am told
are being 'frightened' into paying for such quick-fix courses because, as
spouses whose leave to remain is about to expire, they believe they must gain
citizenship or be sent back to their c.o.o.
My understanding is that learners complete a
20-hour course that includes an enrolment session and a
final ESOL assessment session. The latter, I am told, is done by external
accreditors, although I do not know which awarding body. If they pass, they then
have an ESOL certificate and a letter to say the classes were taught within a
citizenship context etc which will then be used to gain
citizenship.
Apart from the obvious concerns about the cost, I am
worried for several reasons.
1. From talking to learners on such short courses, there
does not seem to be evidence of initial and diagnostic assessment being
done. How then do those running the courses know learners' starting points and
how can they then be shown to progress one level in S&L? This angers me when
I consider the rigorous initial and ongoing diagnostic assessment required and
done by myself and others.
2. Because of the above I fear that learners may be being
entered at low levels for S&L exams so that the course providers are
confident they will pass. This may have the knock-on effect that learners will
then not stay in ESOL classes, particularly if they are having to pay, and will
not then progress as language learners and be empowered to become fully
integrated into British society. Does the government really want all those
applying for Citizenship to reach say, Entry 1 level and stay there? I may
have got all this totally wrong but will learners want to pay for ESOL
classes at a higher level having already gained citizenship? What do others
think?
3. How can anyone put their hand on their heart and say
that after such courses learners have real knowledge of 'life in the
UK'?
4. When I consider the thought, preparation and
commitment I put into my own ESOL sessions and relate this to all of
the above, I no longer feel as though I know what a 'bona fide' English course
is.
5. Finally, I do not know which
organisation one should contact to report concerns (the Home Office is not
interested) and even if I did, I would feel very nervous about doing so for fear
of repercussions.
Judith Boardman
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:50
AM
Subject: FW: Earned citizenship: (message
from Jo Luff, ABNI)
Dear all,
I am aware that there are
organisations who are offering, at a price, short "Citizenship"
courses.
There is no legal reason why "Preparation for
Citizenship test" courses should not be offered. However there is no
designated funding for such courses and therefore providers have to
charge.These courses should enable people (whose English is above E3 level) to
study and discuss Life in the UK handbook in order that they have a better
chance at passing test.
The issue is that participants are
led to believe that they can get a certificate,which avoids the need for them
to take the Life in the UK test.
This is only possible if the
provider is registered with one of the main accreditation bodies and can
therefore organise an Entry level Skills for life Listening and
Speaking exam for learners.
There is some evidence that these
exams have been organised, but the awarding bodies concerned are under
investigation and have withdrawn their approval when it has been shown to them
that a particular organisation is not offering bona fide ESOL courses leading
to their qualification.
However it is important to continue
to expose such providers,so please ensure that they are
reported.
Jan Luff (ABNI)
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]
CC: [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Earned citizenship:
another brick in the wall of fortress Europe
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008
01:14:50 +0000
Dear All
ABNI does not approve or accredit courses nor, as far as I
am aware, does the Home Office. The Home Office clearly sets out
the requirements for citizenship on its websites and the information it
sends out to candidates as reiterated by Fatma. ABNI and the Life in
the UK group, its predecessor, advocated courses on Citizenship for
those candidates with English language skills above Entry 3 delivered by
bona fide organisations and supported by state funding, there was no
expectation that they or the Home Office would formally approve these as
neither has the infrastructure to do so nor would they wish to create a
whole new bureaucratic layer. ABNI and the Home Office are both
concerned about organisations who are exploiting prospective applicants and
propogating misleading information. ABNI will continue to raise these issues
with officials/MPs and we shall get back to you with the outcomes of our
discussions.
Please keep us informed.
All the
best
Celine
This e-mail (and any attachment) is
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> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:37:20 +0000
> From:
[log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Earned citizenship: another
brick in the wall of fortress Europe
> To:
[log in to unmask]
>
> Yes this is a good question. I
am not aware of any qualification being
> recognized by the Home
Office outside the ones agreed by QCA. If there
> are internal courses
on Citizenship accepted by the H.O then we can all
> apply for the
recognition of our own, that of course will save time for
> our
learners.
>
> >>> Cathy Burns <[log in to unmask]>
25/02/2008 14:54 >>>
>
> Does this info need to go to
ABNI? Are these short courses definitely
> Home
> Office
approved?
>
>
> Cathy
> NATECLA National
Centre
>
> In a message dated 25/02/2008 14:09:08 GMT Standard
Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
Citizenship is a hot topic amongst ESOL learners in my area too. Many
> E1,2
> and 3 learners who are not up to taking the on-line
Citizenship test,
> are
> being persuaded to join short,
7-week courses. These are being
> advertised
> locally with
the promise of an ESOL certificate at the end, as well
> evidence
> of 20 hours' of Citizenship, all for the princely sum of £190. Some
of
> these
> learners are already in ESOL classes (like my own)
with other
> providers,
> usually taking a year to progress a
level in speaking and listening
> (and
> R&W) and to cover
some Citizenship material.
>
> Although I understand that such
short courses are approved by the Home
>
> Office, I find the
whole business distasteful
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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