Experiences of teaching and learning English in the context of vocational training in prisons.
Improving learner engagement and motivtion by strengthening links between English and vocational teaching.
The research focused on the education department of HMP Liverpool with delivery provided by Novus. It took place in the vocational workshops, particularly joinery, and involved a group of 12 learners undertaking a Level 1 joinery qualification. Learners were initially interviewed and information from these interviews was used to inform the planning of English teaching activities which were conducted in the joinery workshops towards the end of lessons. The project led to an improvement of relationships between vocational trainers and English teachers and a better understanding of vocational learners' capabilities and attitudes towards English.
OTLA 8
1. Reflect on what works best in your teaching and learning to meet the diverse needs of learners - By trialling English resources and capturing reflections from learners, the vocational department is now able to extend opportunities for those who have previously thought that ‘academic’ subjects were ‘not for them’. The reflections given were sometimes bluntly honest which encouraged in-depth thinking around what might work better. It was then possible to teach English in different ways to meet the needs of more learners. Working with and adapting teaching approaches for those with ADHD and other neurodiversities gave tutors a greater insight into how to support English for a wider range of learners.
2. Evaluate and challenge your practice, values and beliefs - The project provided time and space for the project team to come together as a teaching team to challenge assumptions about how learners deconstruct and build words. By engaging in research activity that asked for learners’ perspectives, the team were able to appreciate that through understanding learners existing spelling strategies, and building on these, greater progress was made than when starting from a position of learners as spelling novices.
20. Contribute to organisational development and quality improvement through collaboration with others - Links and working relationships between vocational and English departments have now been strengthened through discussion about and the gathering of ideas from tutors/trainers from a range of areas. There is a renewed focus on the embedding of English in vocational teaching and drop-in sessions for learners have been planned for vocational workshops.