This project is being led, for TDA, by the Institute of Education in partnership with the Learning and Skills Network (LSN). The Institute of Education consortium offers deep knowledge and expertise of EAL in the context of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and of the strategic importance of early and continuing professional development (EPD/CPD) in national programmes.
Within the Institute, the faculty of culture and pedagogy, led by Professor Richard Andrews and Dr Catherine Wallace, are carrying out research into current EAL practice and perceptions of stakeholders about the needs of the workforce. The National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy (NRDC) is managing the project. NRDC, set up by DfES in 2002 has established a reputation for conducting research and development projects to improve literacy, numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). NRDC has a strong research culture coupled with to an ability to guide organisations in developing professional practice and experience of leadership of workforce development for the related field of adult ESOL.
Informed by initial research carried out by the Institute team, LSN will design the workforce development strategy and consult with the field on its contents and implementation. LSN delivers national quality improvement and staff development programmes to support specific government initiatives. LSN staff offer recent experience of working with Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) on the development of standards and qualifications for adult ESOL teachers.