Case Study - Using the NRS in an accredited English as A Second Language (ESL) Program

Identify the target group of learners

This recurrently funded program has been designed to meet the needs of non English speaking background adults who are unemployed. These students will have already had 510 hours of English through the Adult Migrant English Program.

Outline the purpose and social context of the program.

The overall objective is to provide students with relevant experience in the Australian workplace

The Certificate of Spoken and Written English Curriculum is a 400 hour course divided into 20 hours per week for 20 weeks. The course components are:
1. Work experience:	100 hours (2 weeks placement + 2 weeks Prep + 1 week follow up)
2. Vocational Electives:	80 hours (3 hours mainstream + 1 hour language)
3. Computer:	600 hours (3 hours x 20 weeks)
4. Independent Learning Centre:	40 hours (2 hours x 20 weeks)
5. Guest Speaker	10 hours

The Certificates of Spoken and Written English IV –Vocational English meet the following competencies. The component of the CSWE course in this case study is the Work Experience Component.
Outline the Learning Outcomes

The broad Learning Objectives are to develop and/or demonstrate competence in specific workplace activities and to develop an understanding of communication systems in a specific workplace context. The Competencies from Certificate IV- Vocational English covered are:

Program tasks and activities	Cert IV (VE) Competencies	NRS Indicators Translation statement
Participate in interview with placement officer	Can participate in an interview for employment	4.6, 5.6
Phone employer to arrange an orientation visit	Can negotiate a complex spoken exchange	5.6
Written report	Can write a report	4.4, 4.5 , 5.5
Prepare Resume	Can prepare a Curriculum Vitae	4.4, 4.5, 5.5
Write thankyou letter to employer	Can write a formal letter	4.5, 5.5
Oral Report to class	Can deliver an oral presentation	5.6