2002/3 was a year when adult basic skills providers focused on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Various models of delivery were tested and work was done to focus on ESOL and refugees/asylum seekers and on using ICT to support ESOL. One spin off was this simple checklist for programmes. Each programme should have:

1. Clear course descriptions
   - re purpose/level/target group
   
   
2. Qualified teachers
   - At nationally recognized standards
   - with ongoing professional development opportunities
   
   
3. Teaching of skills from the curriculum
   
   
4. Variety of teaching and learning styles
   - individual and group work
   - spoken; written; visual etc
   - appropriate environment etc
   
   
5. High quality materials - based on standards
   - including ICT based materials
   
   
6. Initial and diagnostic assessment
   
   
7. Individualised learning plan
   - agreed with learner
   - specific skills targeted, with expected timescales for achievement
   - reviewed for progress; progress recorded
   
   
8. Opportunities to get national certificates; nationally recognised qualifications
   
   
9. Opportunities to make rapid progress where possible; focus is on progress not attendance
   
   
10. Range of different options available
    - intensive
    - embedded
    - delivered via ICT
    - residential?
    
    
11. Content and style appropriate to target group
    - young people in transition
    - work focused language for employee
    - for employability and job seeking
    - for social inclusion and involvement
    - for community skills; language for citizenship etc
    
    
12. Good overall management and planning
    - as part of wider overall set of programmes
    - covered by Self Assessment/Quality Assurance processes
    
    
13. Capacity to meet growing need
    - no ‘waiting lists’
    - no oversized/undersized groups etc
    - knowledge of shifting needs