The third term will give you the chance to get a recognised qualification in writing. The Edexcel E2 Writing test will occur during the last week of the term and, if you pass this course, you will receive an Edexcel certificate.
Learners will continue to develop both Speaking and listening and reading skills along with writing skills, however the focus will be on achieving the above course aims. Learners will encounter a range of authentic and modified authentic texts, noticing the textual features of a range of writing styles and genres from formal to semi-formal to formal texts. There will also be a focus on local services and news, along with world events. There will be a focus on citizenship and we will discuss current issues, including rights for citizens, local services, local community, including radicalisation of UK citizens, within the context of what constitutes citizenship within a democracy.
You should already possess E1 Functional Skills or E1 ESOL Writing qualification. Otherwise you will need to demonstrate your level at an initial assessment session before you begin this course.
You will need to bring a folder with dividers, along with lined paper, pens and highlighter pens. You should also bring a dictionary ( this can be an e-dictionary on your phone for example) However, as you cannot use a dictionary in your final exam, you should only use the dictionary as directed by your tutor as, for the most part, you will be using skills to decode unknown words – a key skill in writing.
The methods will be learner centred, often task based and often working in groups. You will write about a range of issues relevant to your needs to help you live in the community. There will be elements of peer learning and an expectation for high levels of independent learning using links on Moodle and other e-sources.
There is ongoing assessment during activities and at the end of the session/course. You will also be given a hard copy Topic List which you can put in your class file to remind you when assessments are handed out and expected back in. Some assessments will happen in class time, which will be indicated on your topic list and will also be above week 1 on Moodle.
There is an expectation that learners will engage in approximately 40 hours of independent study (4 hours per week) to successfully complete the course. We expect that, if you miss a class, you catch up by looking at what work was covered. We expect you to look at Moodle many times during the course, engaging in blogs and chat rooms as well as watching videos and engaging with other extension games and activities, which will be on Moodle to support your writing skills development.