Adult ESOL Handbook 2020-2021

Adult ESOL Handbook Southgate & Edmonton 2020-2021

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Welcome to the Southgate Campus Thank you for choosing to study at Barnet and Southgate College. We are very pleased to welcome you to the college and hope you will be very happy here.

At college and in your online lessons you will meet students from all over the world and you will make friends with people from different cultures.

We want you to enjoy our classes and we will do our best to make them interesting and useful! Every lesson is important, so for the good of your English please try to attend every class. If you are unable to attend, please email your teacher before the lesson or send them a message on Teams to let them know.

Term Dates Term 1: Autumn Term 7th September – 18th December 2020 (Half Term: 26th October – 30th October 2020) Term 2: Spring Term 4th January – 1st April 2021 (Half Term: 15th February – 19th February 2021) Term 3: Summer Term 19th April – 1st July 2021 (Half Term: 31st May – 4th June 2021)

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Covid safety measures at college Please read the advice below about how to stay safe in college. If you have any questions about this, ask your tutor.

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Ready, Respectful, Safe Our expectations for every student are based on three simple principles: • Show respect • Be ready to learn • Stay safe

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement Barnet & Southgate College is committed to achieving equality for all of its students, staff and the broader community that it serves. We welcome, celebrate and value the diversity of our community and seek to promote an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can achieve their full potential. We have a zero tolerance policy to discrimination, harassment and bullying of any kind.

What does this mean?

We expect our students to show respect to everyone and never to discriminate, make judgements or treat others unfairly. We will not tolerate bullying, harassment or prejudice of any nature, or racist, sexist, homophobic or biased language and/or behaviour. Any perceived disrespectful treatment of a member of our college community will lead to a disciplinary action.

If you see or hear of anybody behaving in such a way or using language that you believe breaches the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, please tell your tutor, security or a member of the Student Services team.

Behaviours for Excellence: College Expectations Show Respect • Listen to others and follow reasonable instructions • Use appropriate language with a polite tone • Look after college property and facilities • Respect diversity, other people’s choices and opinions • Actively discourage bullying or harassment of others • Behave respectfully

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Be ready to learn You need to bring to college: •

a ring binder file

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dividers

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A4 paper

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pens, pencils and a rubber

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a notebook

For online learning you need: •

A notebook

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Pens, pencils and a rubber

What do I do if I’m late?

It is important to come to class regularly and on time, but if you are late, go into the class or join the online lesson quietly. Tell the teacher why you are late. Any lateness will be recorded by the tutor.

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What do I do if I can’t come to college?

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You must tell your tutor if you cannot come to college or attend an online class.

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You will need to show proof of hospital appointments, interviews etc. Please do not make your appointments for times when you have classes.

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If you don’t attend at least 90% of your classes, you may lose your place.

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If you are absent for more than 2 weeks without giving us a good reason your teacher will give your place to someone else.

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Your teacher will tell you to download the Microsoft Teams app on your phone. Use Teams to tell your teacher if you are late or absent.

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If you cannot come to class and you did not tell your teacher before, phone your tutor or contact your teacher on Teams.

Moving home?

If you change your address or telephone number, you must tell your teacher.

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Stay safe •

Stay at home if you have any symptoms of Covid 19 A high temperature A new continuous cough A loss or a change to your sense of taste or smell

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Follow college rules for health and safety

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Tell someone if you have any worries or concerns or don’t feel safe

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Wear your student ID badge so that it can be seen at all times.

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Understand the consequences of bringing weapons, drugs and alcohol on to college premises.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults If you are worried about the safety or welfare of another student, or you do not feel safe yourself, there are staff in the college to help you.

You can call 020 3764 4077 Or email : safeguarding@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk Click here for more information about Safeguarding.

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What will I study?

General English You will learn grammar and new vocabulary. Your lessons are designed to give you thorough practice in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Speaking & Listening You will practise and improve your listening and speaking skills in useful everyday situations and for a variety of purposes, e.g. debating, negotiating, conversation, giving presentations and improving your pronunciation are an important part of this session.

Reading and Writing You will practise the skills of reading and writing in a variety of contexts. You will practise planning and writing formal and informal letters, emails, notes, messages and articles. There will be a wide range of reading materials and you will work on handwriting and spelling, as necessary.

All your own work – during the course and for exams You can learn useful language in many ways, for example online and from friends, but the best way to improve your written English is to do homework by yourself. Then your tutor will be able to teach you the grammar and vocabulary you really need.

Remember there are very strict rules about how to behave in exams: no copying, speaking to other students or using mobile phones.

What are the different levels?

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Level 1

Level 2

Your tutor will also give you a test during your first few weeks at college to check your language learning needs. If your tutor decides that you need a higher or lower level or a different course, you may have to change your class.

You will work towards the Ascentis ESOL Skills for Life Qualification.

There are 3 exams: Speaking & Listening Reading Writing You will do one exam in each term: reading, speaking & listening or writing. You will discuss your progress with you tutor who will advise which level exam you will take.

You may need to change class for Term 2 or 3

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ICT If you have enrolled on an ICT or numeracy course, you will do Functional Skills qualifications, and your teacher will decide which level exam you will take.

ICT In these lessons you will use the computer to further develop your language skills. You will be given the opportunity to use the computer to carry out a range of useful and common tasks required for everyday life, work and study.

You will work towards an ICT qualification at Entry level, Level 1 or Level 2.

Numeracy The course will cover the following areas: • • • • •

Mathematics and the language of maths; Number, measures, shapes and handling data.

Division, multiplication, fractions and percentages.

Solving problems, using mathematics and the language of maths.

Analysis of numerical information e.g., tables, charts, graphs and diagrams.

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Targets and ProPortal

You and your teacher will speak about things you should do outside lessons to help you learn. Your teacher will give you one or two targets each term – these are things you need to improve your English and other skills.

You will be able to see your targets and check your attendance on ProPortal using a computer at home, in college or your phone. Your tutor will give you more information about how to use ProPortal.

If you need advice or you have a problem with your studies, please ask for help.

Your tutor may be able to help or tell you where you can get help in the college.

Class Reps (representatives) Each term you will be asked to vote for one or two class reps or representatives. These are students in your class who are happy to attend meetings with managers and speak on your behalf. There will be staff from the college at the meetings and they will listen to your opinions on the college and its facilities.

The class rep is someone who listens well and is confident speaking in a group. If students have concerns about the college or their course, they can tell the class rep who will raise it in the meeting.

People who are class reps are good at listening and enjoy helping improve things. Being a class rep looks good on your CV as it shows that you are a good communicator, a great team player and very responsible.

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Independent study Your tutor will give you regular homework and will show you how to access your lessons and work on Teams. It is very important to always do your homework as this will help you to improve your language skills. There are many things that you can do outside the classroom to improve your English, such as: •

Read English books, magazines, newspapers, online articles and other materials as often as possible.

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Watch English television.

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Listen to English radio.

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Read and listen to the BBC news online.

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Talk to your neighbours and friends in English.

There are many websites where you can improve your English: www.english-grammar-lessons.com/ www.englishbanana.com/ www.esolcourses.com/ www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/ http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/

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Learning on Microsoft Teams

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Barnet & Southgate College E-Learning The College IT Network gives you new opportunities to learn online, anytime, anyplace.

You must use the college network for learning and study only.

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Be responsible and professional.

Respect the privacy of everyone else using the college system Do not post material that might upset others online.

Using the computer to improve your English There are computers in the Learning Resource Centre and many classrooms. We have special software for learning English and a list of many websites that will also help you to learn.

To use a computer you must have a User ID (your student number) and a password. Speak to your teacher or Learning Resource Centre staff to find out about your password. You will also be given 250 printing credits. When you have finished your credits you must pay for printing.

Keep your password safe and make sure you can remember it. You will need to change your password every term. Your teacher may ask your class to use computers in a lesson and you will need to know your password.

Speak to the Learning Resource Centre staff to book a computer there.

You can also use iLearn on the Barnet & Southgate College website to practise your English at home. Go to: https://ilearn.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk/ You will need to enter your User ID (this is your student number) and password. Then you can use the practice materials on iLearn.

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First Aid and fire First Aid Ask your teacher what to do and who can help in an emergency at college.

Fire Exits If you see a fire tell your tutor or Reception. Make sure you know where all fire exits are in the building. These are signposted around the building. If you hear the fire alarm, go with your class to the nearest fire exit.

Wait together with the other students from your class on the grass outside Reception and make sure your teacher can find you. Fire wardens will tell you where to wait and will tell you when it is safe to go back inside.

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Barnet & Southgate College Campuses

Barnet and Southgate College has four campuses across the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield.

A: Wood Street Campus Wood Street, Barnet EN5 4AZ Tel 020 8200 8300 Tube: High Barnet (Northern Line, Zone 5) Bus: 34, 84, 107, 184, 234, 263, 307, 326, 384, 389 Find out more about Wood Street

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B: Colindale Campus 7 Bristol Avenue, London NW9 4BR Tel 020 8266 4000 Tube & train: Colindale (Northern Line, Zone 4) and Mill Hill Broadway (Thameslink) a bus ride away.

Bus: 113, 125,186, 204, 221, 302, 303, 382 Find out more about Colindale C: Southgate Campus High Street, Southgate, London N14 6BS Tel: 020 8200 8300 Tube: Southgate (Piccadilly line, Zone 4). The Southgate Campus is approximately 200m/2 minutes walk from the station.

Bus: W6, W9, 121,125, 298, 299, 382 Find out more about Southgate D: Edmonton Green Campus 2nd Floor, 23 St. George's Chambers, South Mall, Edmonton Green, London N9 0TS Tel: 020 8345 7209 Train: Edmonton Green (Greater Anglia) Liverpool Street to Cheshunt Bus: 102, 144, 149, 191, 192, 259, 279, 349, 491, W6, W8 Find out more about Edmonton Green

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