EDUCATION AND TRAINING

                       Dyslexia in the Community Literacy Programme

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia or reading disorder belongs to the category of learning disabilities which include mathematics disorder and disorder of written expression. Reading disorder is a condition which occurs in children and is characterised by a significant difficulty in word recognition, reading comprehension and typically written spelling. If unresolved at the earlier age it can affect many people in their later life.

Dyslexic learners have long been regarded as individuals incapable of great educational achievements, and therefore given little teaching and learning attention. At Central Birmingham College Education and Training, we believe that dyslexic learners are individuals capable of better achievements if they are given a positive regard and treated with respect, dignity rather than second-class learners. People always respond better when they are treated the same way and with respect and dignity.

Literacy is the ability to understand and use information. It is a fundamental skill. Literacy is essential not only for participating fully at work, but for everyday life as well (e.g. for choosing products when shopping). With a more use of literacy skills, we believe that it is possible for dyslexic individuals to achieve better career prospects, along with goal orientated aspirations.

What is this course about?

The Edexcel Certificate in Adult Dyslexia Literacy is a suite of programmes,  which provide the learners with high quality and nationally recognised qualifications. This course is suitable for people who have learning difficulties such as dyslexia. It provides valuable opportunities for individuals with dyslexia to develop skills and gain underpinning knowledge and understanding which will support entry into education, and progress into employment.

Course Objectives

It aims to enable learners with learning difficulties:

• Develop and use literacy skills at a level to function at work, and in society in general
• To progress to the next level in small, manageable steps
• Become better qualified.

Entry requirements:

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification

What does this course involve?

What the learners will be studying on this course depends on the level at which they are learning based on the outcome of the diagnostic assessment.  The Adult Literacy programme has three different levels: Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2.

I. Literacy Entry Level

The Entry Level is divided into 3 sub levels: Entry Level 1 (E1), Entry Level 2 (E2) and Entry Level 3 (E3).

a. The Entry Level 1 (E1)

At this level the students will be able to spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words. They will also write the letters of the alphabet using upper and lower case. Furthermore, the students will use basic sound-symbol association to help spelling as appropriate to the needs. At the level the students will study 5 Units which involve reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Unit 1:  Lost and found

Unit 2:  Keeping healthy

Unit 3:  Where I live

Unit 4: New job at the Café

Unit 5: Using computers

b. The Entry Level 2 (E2)

The Entry Level students will learn to spell correctly the majority of personal details and familiar common words, and also use their knowledge of sound-symbol relationships and phonological patterns (e.g. consonant clusters and vowel phonemes) to help work out correct spellings, as appropriate to the needs of the learner. Furthermore, they are expected to produce legible text.  At the level the students will study 5 Units which involve reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Unit 1:  My big bay

Unit 2:  Entertainment and leisure

Unit 3: The Issue

Unit 4: Safety on the streets

Unit 5: Find that job

c. The Entry Level 3 (E3)

At this level the students will be to spell correctly common words and relevant key words for work and special interest. They will also use their developing knowledge of sound-symbol relationships and phonological patterns to help spell a greater range of words and longer words, as appropriate for the needs of the learner. Finally they are expected to produce legible text. At the level the students will study 5 Units which involve reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Unit 1: Courses for all

Unit 2: Money Matters

Unit 3: What do you think?

Unit 4: Getting there

Unit 5: Writing a CV

II. Literacy Level 1

The Level 2 Adult Literacy is to help you spell correctly words used most often in work, studies and daily life, including familiar technical words. It is enable students to produce legible text. At the level the students will study 5 Units which involve reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Unit 1: Junk mail

Unit 2:  Away from it all

Unit 3:  Changing suppliers

Unit 4: What is on?

Unit 5: Applying for a job

III. Literacy Entry Level 2

The Level 2 Adult Literacy is to help you spell correctly words used most often in work, studies and daily life, including familiar technical words. It is enable students to produce legible text. At the level the students will study 5 Units which involve reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Unit 1: Making your point

Unit 2:  Healthy Eating

Unit 3: Scoop

Unit 4: Are you insured?

Unit 5: Start that job.

Mode of study

This course can be studied on flexible part-time basis. Students can join at any time.

Duration: The length of the programme is normally 6 weeks for each level, but it can last longer depending on the needs of the individual learner.

How the learners will be assessed

The learners will be assessed by a number of activities at each of Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3, Level 1 and Level 2. These assessments are paper-based at Entry Level. At level 1 and level 2 the reading element is taken either on paper or on-screen.

All of the activities are externally set by Edexcel Examination Board and conducted by Central Birmingham College Education and Training.

What the learners will get at the end of the course.

On successful completion of the programme the learner can gain either the unit certificate, or progress towards the full award. The unit certificate will show the unit achieved. The full award certificate will show the qualification title.

Progression opportunities

The learners have the opportunity to progress within the suite of qualifications. For example, a learner achieving an Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in Basic Literacy Skills may get recognition for higher level achievement by progressing to the Level 1 Certificate in Literacy. Alternatively, candidates may wish to progress onto other qualifications or go into employment.

For further details on course start date and timetables, please contact the Admissions Unit - 0121 604 7869