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Student Handbook

Part-Time ESOL, Grahame Park

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Student Handbook

Part-Time ESOL & ESOL Numeracy, Grahame Park

CONTENTS

Page

College Dates 3

My Details 3

Will I take an examination? 4

Course Information 5

What do I need to bring? 6

Tutorials and Individual Learning Plans 6

What do I do if I’m late? 7

What do I do if I can’t come? 7

Student activities and speakers 8

About Grahame Park: College Facilities 9

About Grahame Park: First Aid & Fire Exits 10

Other College Centres and Facilities 11

Using the Barnet College Computer Network 11

Barnet College E-learning 12-14 How to use your E-ILP 15

ESOL Student Code of Conduct 16

ESOL Learning Agreement 17

Safeguarding 18

Appendix 19

We wish you success at Barnet College and hope you enjoy your course!

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Dear Student, Congratulations on enrolling on to your ESOL course at Barnet College. The teachers on your course will deliver their best to ensure you succeed in your studies. However success actually depends on your commitment to your studies. Attendance and punctuality are key to your success. Please note that if attendance levels drop below the accepted college target, you will be withdrawn and not allowed to take your examination. Progression and re-enrolment at the college will also be affected. Please remember we are here to support you in your studies and wish you luck this year. Yours sincerely

Shahin Khan Head – School of Skills for Life E-mail Shahin.khan@barnet.ac.uk

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Part-Time ESOL & ESOL Numeracy

Grahame Park

Welcome to Barnet College!

Our Grahame Park centre in Colindale is a large and exciting place to learn. You will meet students from all over the world. You will study

with students from many different cultures. The centre has courses on many subjects and has very good facilities for students.

Enjoy your course at Grahame Park!

12 September, 2011 – 6 July, 2012 Term 1: 12 September – 16 December

Half Term Holiday: 24-29 October Term 2: 03 January – 30 March 2012

Half Term Holiday 13-17 February Term 3: 16 April – 6 July 2012

Half Term Holiday 4-8 June

Moving home? If you change your address or

telephone number, you must tell

your teacher.

My Course Details

Name ……………………………………………………………………………..

Student Number ……………………………………………………………………………..

Course ……………………………………………………………………………..

Classroom(s) ……………………………………………………………………………..

Teacher’s name(s)…………………………………………………………………………….

Tutor’s number ………………………………………………………………….........

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Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life

Will I take an exam?

ESOL & Numeracy Courses Entry 1-Level 2

You will work towards the Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life Qualification on your course. There are three exams:

Speaking & Listening

Reading

Writing

You will also work towards a City & Guilds Numeracy qualification.

E3/L1 ESOL for Work Course

You will work towards an English Speaking Board qualification. The

exam includes Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing.

During the year you will have tasks and tests to check your

learning and progress.

You must organise and file your work to show your learning and progress.

Students who do not attend classes regularly or who are often late

for class may lose their place on the course.

If you have any special need in class or for exams, please let your teacher know at the beginning of the course.

Your teacher will decide which exams you are ready to take.

Every student will take at least one ESOL exam.

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Course Information: Part-time ESOL courses

You can study English at these levels:

Pre-Entry Entry 1 Entry 2 Entry 3 Level 1 Level 2

You will have an interview and test at the beginning of the year to choose the correct course for you. Your tutor will also give you a test

during your first week at college to check your language learning needs. Your tutor will check your progress regularly during the year and you

will take at least one ESOL exam at the end of your course.

If your tutor decides that you need a higher or lower level or a different

course, you may have to change your class.

If you need more help or advice about your courses you can make an appointment at Reception to come to an Advice and Guidance session

but you should always speak to your teacher first.

Types of Part-time Courses

ESOL Pre-entry: Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing. Students on

this course do not take an exam. This course helps students with basic reading and writing especially.

ESOL & Numeracy Entry 1-Level 2: Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing, with Numeracy. All students on this course will take at least

one ESOL exam at the end of the course – Speaking & Listening, Reading or Writing. If your teacher thinks that you are ready, you may

be able to take more than one exam. Many Part-time students need more than one year to pass all the exams, especially reading and

writing. Your teacher will give you tests during the year to check your progress and decide which exams you are

ready to take.

All students will also take a Numeracy exam. Your teacher will check your numeracy level and

decide which exam is good for you (Entry 1-Level 2).

E3/L1 ESOL for Work: Speaking, Listening,

Reading & Writing. This course helps prepare students for using English in the workplace.

There is an exam at the end of the year – your teacher will decide which level is right for you,

E3 or L1.

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What do I need to bring?

You need:

a ring binder file dividers

A4 paper

pens, pencils and a rubber a notebook

You must organise your work.

File your work in a ring binder and use the dividers to organise it.

Your folder of work will be used to check your progress.

You must concentrate in your lesson.

Please switch your mobile phone off before

you go into your classroom and put it in your bag or pocket.

Tutorials and Individual Learning Plans Your teacher will meet with each student individually – one to one - every

term. Your teacher will make an appointment for a tutorial with you to talk about your learning. You and the teacher will make a list of things

you should do after classes to help you learn. This is called an Individual Learning Plan, or ILP. You will be able to see your ‘e-ILP’ on a computer

– see page 15 of this handbook.

If you need help, advice or 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.

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What do I do if I am late?

It is important to come to class regularly and on time, but if you are

late, go into the class quietly. Your teacher will ask you to sign the Late Register – you will need to say why you are late.

What do I do if I cannot come to college?

You must tell your tutor if you cannot come to college.

You may lose your place if you do not tell your tutor. It is important that you tell your teacher before the lesson if you have an appointment

or other reason for not attending. You can find a form in every class room for you to fill in and give to your teacher before you are absent.

If you cannot come to class and you did not tell your teacher before,

phone the college and leave a message. Say your student number, your name, your teacher’s name, the date you are absent and why you

are absent. Ask your teacher for the phone number and write it on page 3.

You must attend a minimum of 85% of the course. If you miss many classes, you may lose your place on the course. Also, if you

do not come to class on time or complete all homework on time,

you may lose your place.

** If you need help – please ask your tutor.

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STUDENT ACTIVITIES & SPEAKERS

TRIPS

Students will have the opportunity to go on many trips during the year, such as:

The British Museum

The Victoria &Albert Museum

The Natural History Museum

St Albans

Kenwood House

Houses of Parliament

And many more….

SPEAKERS

Speakers will be invited to help you with life in the UK, such as:

CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau)

Voluntary Work

Police (safety talk)

Barnet Refugee Service

EVENTS

There will also be many events during the year, where you can have a lot of fun, as well

as learn English!

Black History month… Story teller, African Drumming, and more…

End of term parties

Careers Fair to help you think about next year

International Day

Your suggestions are also welcome!

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About Grahame Park .........

Barnet College, Grahame Park, is easy to reach by

train, underground or bus. There is also a large car

park for students who drive, but please arrive early to

make sure you can find a place.

There are also many other facilities and services, such

as:

- The Learning Centre which has excellent ESOL learning materials,

including a large number of computers for the use of students.

- A Gym and Sports Hall – there are a number of sporting

activities throughout the year.

- Good offers for haircuts and other treatments in the Hairdressing and

Beauty Section.

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- If you’re hungry, you can go to the

Refectory for a hot meal or get a quick

coffee and snack at the shop in the

Students’ Common Area. Also, the

Pavilion restaurant serves excellent

food at set times during the term.

- Students can get help and advice about many different things like childcare

and benefits at the Student Services

Office. In addition, they can get

guidance for their future study plans

from the Careers Advisors.

- There is a crèche for young children but you must book early to get a place

for your child.

- Look at the notice board for student activities organised for Grahame Park students. Your teacher will also give you details throughout the year.

FIRST AID & FIRE

First Aid Ask your teacher what to do and

who can help in an emergency at college.

Fire Exits 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 and make sure your teacher can find you.

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Barnet College centres Grahame Park Centre, Colindale, NW9 5RA

Wood Street Centre, Graseby House, High Street, Barnet, EN5 5UJ

There are Learning Centres at Grahame Park and Wood Street where

you can borrow books and cassettes, use computers and find resources to help you study. Maps to all centres are on the notice board or at

Reception.

Sports Facilities are at Grahame Park.

Using the computer to improve your English

There are computers in the Learning 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 Centre staff to get a password. You will also be given 250 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 Centre staff to book a computer there.

You can also use the Barnet College website to practise your English at

home. Go to:

www.barnet.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 the ESOL WEST

website.

There are many websites to help you with your English including: www.english-grammar-lessons.com www.englishbanana.com

www.esolcourses.com www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise

Your college ID card will allow you to use facilities at both centres.

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Barnet 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.

Be responsible and professional.

Respect the privacy of everyone else using the college

system

Do not post material that might upset others online.

Remember to stay safe

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Moodle - Your course page Moodle is an area on the college network where students can find important information about their course and extra practice for reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary. You will find out more about Moodle during the first weeks of your course.

Finding your course on Moodle

Open the Barnet college Moodle site http://moodle.barnet.ac.uk/ or via the MLE. After entering this address Moodle will appear with a Login box on the top left that looks like this:

Enter your Username and your password here then click the Login icon and you will then be logged on to the Barnet College Moodle network.

After logging on, you will be directed to a new page listing the courses you are enrolled on: Click the course you wish to enter.

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Mahara is a student’s personal learning space. It should show all the hard work that you do in college. To access Mahara click the Mahara icon on you Moodle course page: You will then see your Mahara homepage, showing you the different sections of your personal account:

On Mahara you can write about yourself, list your skills/your goals, write blogs and upload assignments set by your lecturers, and so build an e-portfolio. You can submit work for your teachers on Mahara, to do this, upload the necessary file and place it in a ‘View’ – a page that can be shared with teachers/lecturers etc.

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How to see your e-ILP

On Moodle you will find your Individual Learning Plan. Click on the ‘My ILP’ link and you will be taken to your ILP page. From here, you can:

Enter your courses, qualifications and goals on ‘My Information’

Set targets for yourself on ‘My Targets’

Discuss progress with your lecturer on Progress Reviews

Keep a record of your progress on Celebrations and Concerns

Summarise your achievements in Progression Using the e-ILP gives you a new way to show your progress through your time in Barnet College. At the start of the year your teacher will show you how to use Moodle, Mahara and your e-ILP.

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Barnet College

Student Code of Conduct

These rules will make sure the College is a safe and enjoyable place to work and learn in.

You should:

- be kind and polite to all people and respect others and their

possessions

- look after the College buildings and the equipment you use

- wear your ID card and never give it to anyone else

- show your face to security staff if you are asked to

- never do things which upset other people; do not be unkind to people about the way they look, their sex, their age, their beliefs

- not smoke in the College buildings

- not bring drugs and alcohol into the College

- keep the College clean and tidy

- only eat and drink at break time

- never cheat when you are doing tests or exams

- be careful and safe at College so you do not hurt yourself or others

- come to every class and arrive on time

- never use mobile phones where it might disturb other people

- use computers only to help you learn; do not use the Internet in a way which breaks the College IT rules.

If you break any of these rules you will be disciplined, you might have to leave the College.

Signed by Student Print name

…………………………………… ……………………………………

Signed by Tutor Print Name Date

…………………………………… …………………………………… …………………………

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ESOL Learning Agreement

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What we expect from you:

Come to class every lesson.

Come to class on time.

Bring a file with you.

Bring paper, pen and pencil.

Take an active part in the class.

Switch off your mobile phone.

Do your homework.

Tell your tutor if you cannot come to class.

Speak to your tutor if you are unhappy about any of your classes.

Look at your e-ILP and try to achieve the targets from your tutor.

How we will help you:

We will help you improve your English.

We will make your lessons useful and interesting.

We will speak to you one-to-one about your English.

We want you to feel happy learning English at Grahame Park.

We want you to tell us if you are not happy!

We wish you success at Barnet College and

hope you enjoy your course!

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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 8266 4077 or click on the link below for more

information.

http://www.barnet.ac.uk/The-College/services-for-students/the-

safeguarding-team

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Appendix

College Policies

Conduct for External assessments/tests

Absence & Punctuality

Disciplinary Procedures

Student Appeals Against the Assessment of Performance

The Role of the Personal Tutor and Tutorials

The Role of the Student Representative

Complaints Procedures

Additional Support

The Role of the Attendance Liaison Officer

UCAS Application Support

Fire Procedures

First Aid Procedures

All college student information can be accessed via this link