November update

The term is flying past with Christmas approaching fast - how many shopping days left? It has been very busy since the October break. Unfortunately the ESOL event planned for October was cancelled due to low numbers which was disappointing. I am going to contact Colleges in the central belt to get some feedback with a view to planning another event. It may be that the timing, the day of the week or the venue were problems for people. I am working closely with Margaret Allan at SQA on this.
On a brighter note I attended a very interesting meeting of ESOL practitioners hosted by my own College through the East of Scotland Quality Network. Many current issues were discussed including the use of the additional funding and Community/College partnerships but from my own point of view really good feedback was given about support the Network could provide for ESOL. I have been discussing an online resource repository with Colin to allow practitioners to share materials. This was well received by colleagues at the meeting so I am keen to move on with this and hope to arrange a meeting with Colleg asap. This is something the Modern Languages network have also discussed as a need. We also discussed an event where good practice could be showcased through 'hands on' workshops where practitioners would demonstrate activities which work well in the ESOL classroom. 'Try it, it works.' This could be an idea for the afternoon session of College People's Week on the ESOL day. I am keen to set up an advisory group for ESOL and some of the colleagues at the meeting were happy to join, which is great. I will also recruit members from other parts of the country.
The second meeting of the Scottish Baccalaureate Design Team met in October. The design arrangements of the new qualification have been put out to consultation due to disquiet about the original design and the results of this should be published shortly. Work on exemplification of the inter-disciplinary project is now underway and will be discussed at the next meeting in January.
I attended the SALT conference on the 1st November which had a variety of interesting workshops. I supported my colleague Marie McCarney in the presentation of a workshop on Modern Languages in FE - Debunking the myth. The main aim was to inform the School sector about Language activity in FE so that they can advise their pupils about future study as well as alternative routes via College to University. It also focussed on School/College partnerships to enable a wider delivery of Advanced Higher and future collaboration to deliver the new Baccalaureate.
The third meeting of the ESOL Curriculum Working Party was on the 11th November and progress was made through meaningful discussion and interesting input from guests Phillida Schellekens and Euan Reid, the Chairperson of the National Panel. Each member of the Working Party has been given an aspect of the Curriculum to present at the next meeting on the 16th January - January is already looking like a busy month!!