Organising the initial interview

The assessment interview

An interview with each student seeks to establish the current levels of literacy, numeracy, oracy and learning strategies of the prospective student and to identify as clearly as possible their specific learning goals and any training or vocational goals. For example, someone who wants to work in the retail area may not know the type of maths or literacy involved and can then be placed in an appropriate class/program that will enable them to develop those skills. Many students arrive with a singular focus to learn spelling but the interview will allow that student to elaborate on their needs and clarify their goals.

For the majority of prospective adult literacy students, the idea of an assessment interview is daunting and cause for apprehension. Therefore it is necessary to provide an environment and an atmosphere that is welcoming and non threatening during which information is gathered in an informal manner focussing on their needs and the initial establishment of a plan for them to reach their goals. Most students enjoy the opportunity to discuss their own learning and to make plans about improving their skills in the four macro language and numeracy areas.

Preparing the assessment documentation

The documentation for reporting on the assessment of the students varies depending who is funding the student place or referring the student. For most students the assessment is completed and filed in a confidential drawer. The report is shared with the tutors who will take the students. If the student has come through an agency, a Place Offer is sent to the agency indicating which certificate course the student has been enrolled in but the details of the interview remain confidential.

For students who have been sent through Centrelink the process is more involved. If the overall composite rating is one or two on the NRS then participants are eligible to take part in the language and numeracy program. However if the composite figure is three or above on the NRS, then they are ineligible. A set of proformas detailing the results of the interview and training details are sent to Centrelink and DEST and an abridged version is given to the student. Students then join an appropriate class and class tutors are shown the results thus ensuring that the class program can cater for the needs of the student.