{page 48}

PgCert
Teachers of Adults with Learning Difficulties

Location
LLU+, Lewisham College
(and nationally through qualified trainers)

Duration
From 1 to 2 years (part-time)

Start date
By arrangement

Number of places
12 per course

Simple timetable info
Normally taught through 10 half day sessions staged over several months.

How to apply
Direct to LLU+

LSBU code
LLU_M_UAL and LLU_M_SIL

Course contact
Dr Ross Cooper
r.cooper@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 6257

Course units

– Understanding Adults with Learning Difficulties

– Supporting Individual Learning Development for Adults with Learning Difficulties

Course description

This course focuses on the key themes and issues surrounding the provision of appropriate, effective and high quality teaching for adults with learning difficulties. It promotes the values of adult status, self-advocacy, inclusion and the meeting of individual’s needs and goals and is underpinned by the fundamental principles of inclusive learning.

Covering the key issues of teaching, learning and developing a curriculum for adults with learning difficulties, students will explore research into the nature of cognitive and perceptual motor impairments along with the impact of social constructs, political contexts and different curriculum approaches on the learner. It also offers an opportunity to explore and evaluate methods and strategies for diagnostic assessment, teaching and assessing achievement, and to develop skills in using differentiated approaches within group contexts and curriculum development. The course includes both theory and practical work. The unit promotes a self-reflective approach which emphasises the capacity to learn from mistakes and improve one’s own professional practice.

At the time of writing, the new standards for Teachers for Living and Work were being drafted with the active involvement of the course director. We expect to match our course outcomes with the new standards which in turn have been informed by our ground breaking course.

LLU+ is a national consultancy and professional development centre which aims to improve the quality of individuals’ education and training to enable them to achieve success. LLU+ works primarily in the areas of literacy, numeracy, dyslexia, family learning and English for speakers of other languages, but also has specialists in learning support, language, maths, the application of learning styles and approaches to teaching and learning. LLU+ offers organisations consultancy and advice, project development, trainer education, research and development and professional development networks.

Career opportunities

There is a great need for well qualified teachers of adults with learning difficulties.

Typical background of applicant

Experienced practitioner working with groups of adults with severe or moderate learning difficulties.

Professional contacts/industry links

This course was developed over a three year period with the active support of Professor John Tomlinson, Lesley Dee, Carole Tennyson, Merillie Vaughn- Huxley, Professor Bob Fryer, Peter Mayhew-Smith, Mary-Lynne Jones, Jenny Wilson, Carl Edwards, Cynthia Klein, Ross Cooper and in consultation with colleges throughout the country.