|ITE programmes for teachers of adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL (Completed)|
This project reviewed 11 new initial teacher education programmes, largely in universities, for adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL teachers. All the courses were in their first year of implementation (2002/03).
The programmes were introduced to meet the new training requirements for language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) specialists: those intending to be teachers, or those starting their careers, have to achieve a full teaching qualification plus a specialist subject qualification in their field. This subject qualification relates to both personal skills and underpinning theory and practice, and is outlined in DfES subject specifications for teachers of adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL (DfES 2002 a, b).
The report begins by contextualising the research in government initiatives to improve the quality of initial teacher education in the Learning and Skills sector. It also introduces a conceptual framework for interpreting the different ways subject knowledge and teaching knowledge is balanced on courses.
The report moves on to profile the backgrounds and experience of trainees and staff in the sample, then explores some key themes:
The report concludes with some key questions for initial teacher education providers and policy makers, and lists areas for future research.