Objectives

			To promote wider and more effective learning of English for special purposes in vocational schools in line with the provisions of the technical vocational education reform agenda.
			To develop students’ and teachers’ market research skills in connection with English language needs analysis for vocational sectors
			To build the confidence of young people by providing learning opportunities.
			To train teachers and students to develop appropriate materials for their particular vocational sector.

Background and rationale

The project aims to develop English language skills, methods and materials in technical vocational schools to support student-centred learning and increased awareness of the needs and demands of industry and other economic sectors.

English language teachers work together with their students, vocational subject teachers and industry representatives to make suitable materials for relevant English language learning.

The project started in the context of the increased need for focusing the learning of English on the specific purposes of the world of work and the lack of a specific curriculum for English in vocational schools.

The current project, started in 2003, builds on the results and lessons of the pilot project on English in technical vocational schools carried out between 2001 and 2003. The experience of the first phase of the project was extended to a larger group of schools from various industry sectors.

Provisions for the project include setting up a two-year optional class for students in grade 10 to be continued in grade 11.

In the first year teachers work with their students to identify the English language needs for the specific industry sector. Most of the research is conducted in the institutions with which the schools co-operate for students’ practical activities.

In the second year the teachers work with students on designing classroom materials to reflect the language aspects they have identified.

Teams

The 19 schools that participated in the first phase of the project are located in 10 regions of the country: Timisoara, Arad, Brasov, Fagaras, Codlea, Victoria, Constanta, Galati, Braila and Bucuresti Dissemination seminars have been organised  in the counties of : Brasov, Cluj, Galati, Harghita, Iasi, Sibiu, Suceava, Timis, Ilfov, Botosani, Caras-Severin, Dambovita, Valcea, Vrancea, Prahova and Bucharest The team in each school consists of teachers of English, vocational subject teachers and their students.

The teachers work with a team of seven trainers who are experienced university and secondary school teachers and teacher trainers.

Sustainability

The project website - www.ewow.ro - was launched in 2006 to support students and teachers who want to continue the project. It includes description and details of the project, results of the school teams and support documents for those who wish to start the project: course framework, syllabus and detailed classroom materials with notes for teachers. There is also a discussion forum for communication and interaction

For further information please contact Ruxandra Popovici, English language projects manager ruxandra.popovici@britishcouncil.ro