Effective strategies for motivating and engaging young LLN learners Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Barking and Dagenham: Who are our customers ? 8th most deprived borough in London and ranks 9th among 354 authorities in England Among those of working age who are unemployed 44.5% lack any qualifications 4th lowest in England for literacy and 2nd lowest for numeracy Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

The national challenge: “Companies are struggling to find skilled staff as thousands leave school with a poor grasp of the 3Rs. Low standards of literacy and numeracy among the young have left the economy exposed to competition from India and China”- Sir T. Leahy Paton G (2007): ‘Sir Terry Leahy criticises workers’ basic skills: The Telegraph, 13th September Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo Our challenge - Too many learners with inadequate LLN skills for life or work Lack of interest/ poor attendance to programmes designed to help them improve or develop these skills Low level engagement in lessons Retention and achievement ( even in vocational areas) affected by low level LLN Frustrated tutors trying to do a job Does this sound familiar?- learners not turning up to lessons; What we observed Most of our young learners did not have L2 LLN qualifications- and even when they did, some still lacked some necessary skills to function in the real world or work place Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Act 1 scene 1 … Before the research -what we did: 1st year - vocational tutors taught, supported by the FS team 2nd year - FS specialists taught Result 1st year - achievement low; most tutors struggled 2nd year - poor attendance & behaviour; low achievement Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo The research…. The people we went to for answers: 260 learners filled questionnaires 50 learners interviewed – formal and informal (including those in the clip) 10 vocational and LLN tutor 3 workshops involving 3 vocational and 4 LLN specialists Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Problems at point of entry What the people said ….. Problems at point of entry Lessons.. boring, boring Timetabling issues Resources/ Qualification.. irrelevant not useful Developing skills or just more exams? Team work- what’s that? Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo Our recommendations: Review : methods of ‘selling’ LLN to customers Timetabling system Work ethics among/ between staff - Explore collaborative practices systems of support for learners Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

THE STORY SO FAR… Supporting Learners Timetabling issues Presenting a united front Selling LLN Open days, initial interviews, course handbooks and induction Training; recruiting ambassadors- & VT enrolling for L2 quals ; collaboration Reviewing SoW, teaching, learning & support strategies Cross-college centralised timetable LLN tutors will continue to be based in curriculum areas and will be involved in initial interviews and inductions- this will help learners see them as part of the big picture, not just add-ons. All tutors- LLN and vocational will be involved in monitoring attendance, behaviour, engagement, retention and performance of learners – both in vocational and LLN groups . FS will be a vital part of any area’s SAR. College websites, prospectuses and course handbooks will make learners aware of the need to improve or develop LLN skills- LLN will be sold as an integral part of the course Timetables are being done centrally and LLN slots are being monitored. Support and training are being given to LLN and vocational staff on how to maximum learning experience for their learners through lesson plans and deliveries; identification of common areas in SoW (to allow for natural embedding); sharing of good practices, resources ( to emphasise relevance and promote contextualisation) , time and space etc . Hopefully, LSAs will be included in this later. Looking @ streaming learners; support that’s been given to those who already have quals but no skills; maximising support given thru our study centres. Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo Next steps: Advertise LLN on college website as part of main courses Encourage more tutors to buy into collaboration- look for ambassadors Promote LLN as part of main course during induction Monitor how recommendations are being carried out in the different curriculum areas Monitor effect of recommendations on teaching and learning experiences; attendance and retention Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo

Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo We are not there yet!!!!! We would love your great ideas and suggestions Thank YOU!! Tinyan Akin-Omoyajowo