Community Village

For new-to-English, low level literacy and SEND learners
Uses image as the language of instruction • High Interest - low level reading support

 

Primary or Secondary Schools, Multi Academy Trusts, International Schools

 

Primary or Secondary Schools, Multi Academy Trusts, International Schools

The Community Village programme is designed for adults learning English in an English speaking context (often schools), such as parents of EAL learners and adults working in English-medium education. It teaches the basic functional language needed to communicate in English using image as the language of instruction in a school context. It includes sentence patterns to support adults with not only learning English in schools, but engaging in their  community.

This incredible tool removes the barrier of language between adults with limited English proficiency, and their English speaking environment, building a culture of engagement and collaboration.

 

Local Authorities, ESOL providers, Language Schools

 

Local Authorities, ESOL providers, Language Schools

Community Village supports pre-beginner to intermediate-level adult ESOL learners of ANY language background, thanks to its image-based approach. It’s ideal for adult learners who speak less widely translated languages, those that speak an unwritten language and those that are pre-literate. It teaches vocabulary that can be used for day-to-day tasks, helping learners to integrate into the community and increase their confidence.

 

Resettlement Centres, Community Centres, Refugee and Migrant Centres

 

Resettlement Centres, Community Centres, Refugee and Migrant Centres

Community Village helps adult learners with confidence and English they might need to engage in their new English speaking environment, make friends and to start or continue their English language learning journey. It provides a support for adult learners to successfully help themselves learn English through images. The platform also assists learners who may speak unwritten languages or not be confident in their own languages alongside other adult learners of ANY language background.

Blended adult ESOL learning using image as the language of instruction

  • Suitable for learners of ANY language background
  • Suitable for learners of ANY level of literacy
  • Gamified visual platform for motivating learners an independent learning
  • Translation button for those tricky moments that require clarification
  • Facilitating learner engagement by building confidence

Teaches the foundation of the English Language

  • Survival Language - all the basics adults need to communicate in English
  • Phonics and Spelling - teaching reading through sounds and teaching spelling patterns to support writing
  • Subject specific Language - vocabulary and language structures to support adults with academic language used in schools

Simple proficiency level testing, assessment and tracking

  • Assess your learner’s speaking, listening, reading and writing skills
  • Assess your learner’s high frequency word comprehension size
  • Identify your learner’s approximate proficiency level aligned to an ESOL continuum e.g. CEFR, ESOL Framework, IELTS
  • Track your learner’s progress over time using the Planner and Tracker tool

Versatile Learning Platform

  • Group teaching
  • Individual learning
  • Home study

 

Versatile Learning Platform

Independent learning:
ESOL learners can use the platform independently for home study once the Head of Village has provided some initial guidance on navigation. Learners can also learn independently in school during drop-in sessions where they can use school computers/equipment.

Teacher-led sessions:
ESOL classes for adult learners or family learning sessions for ESOL parents and their children organised by the Head of Village. This level of support may include 1:1 sessions timetabled for ESOL learners depending on staff capacity.

Progress and Development

  • Built in assessment tools
  • Can see progress and time spent learning
  • Celebration of success

 

Progress and Development

Engagement, time spent learning and achievement are crucial for learners motivation. Community Village has built in assessment tools so that the learner can see the progress they are making. Within the platform there are opportunities to win awards and for learners who are being taught as part of a group there are the options to get certificates to encourage development. Celebrating success is all part of the journey.

SEND and Low Level Literacy

  • Repeated language structures and drills
  • Speaking and listening function
  • Short lessons

What our teachers say

Ragini Patel, Tudor Primary

EAL coordinator

As a school, we have a high level of pupil mobility throughout the year, due to families being re-housed to different boroughs. Very often, we have new families/children that join our school/community from abroad as new arrivals to the country. Frequently, these families/children will start our school with either no spoken English or with very limited English. These families bring a wealth of diversity, but do struggle with life in a new country (socially) and find it challenging to communicate.

Mandy Hayer, Assistant Head, Tudor Primary School

Feedback from parents

The biggest impact we notice was the parent’s confidence levels increasing and a willingness to engage with the school staff.

Each month the parents were invited to attend the school’s soft start Learning Village workshop for their child/children. We wanted parents to be able to observe the EAL support teacher teaching the programme to their children and to share ideas and strategies so the parents could continue to support their children at home using these techniques.

The post-questionnaire was completed by all parents and 100% of parents now feel confident speaking in basic English when needed to communicate with school staff, and have a better understanding of how to support their children at home.

Instituto Thomas Jefferson Zona Esmeralda

Feedback from adults working in schools

There has been an extremely positive response and Community Village learners who are excited and engaging well.

We are noticing that learners are referring to the Community Village lessons they are engaging with.

Feedback from Community Village learners so far is that they are very excited and want to practice all the time.

The Community Village teachers see the lessons as a long term opportunity.

17+ million lessons learnt

976+ million minutes spent learning

648+ million coins collected

Articles from our blog

Author: Martha Giannakaki, ESOL specialist
Created: Wed 10th Jan 2024
group of students clustered round a teacher
Author: Jane Bryan, ESOL specialist
Created: Wed 6th Dec 2023
Woman looking up with a lightbulb and question marks above her head
Author: Jane Bryan, EAL specialist
Created: Tue 5th Sep 2023
Author: Coreen Sears
Created: Wed 24th Dec 2014
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