Best Practice Guidelines for Adult ELS/LINC Programming & Instruction in Alberta
Best Practice Guidelines for Adult ELS/LINC Programming & Instruction in Alberta updated 2004 (pdf)
This document is based on a collaboratively developed set of Best Practice Guidelines. The self study process outlined in this guide is intended for all ESL (English as a Second Language) programs in the province. Based on the premise that reviewing fundamental elements of practice is beneficial, provincial and federal departments responsible for ESL would like to ensure that programming and instruction practices are consistent throughout the province.
It should be looked upon as a tool to help new or established programs improve, develop, and become more responsive to learner needs while at the same time providing a measure of accountability to the public, and to the funders. It must be stated that the purpose of this particular document is for self assessment and not as a way of determining funding. Nevertheless, it seems that programs can expect funding to be tied to an accountability framework sometime in the future.
This set of guidelines has been developed to assist people who are providing English language programs for adult immigrants to Alberta.
Because the needs of the learners vary so widely, no program is able to be all things to all people. There is a variety of programs in the community to meet the wide variety of student needs. When you establish a program, or when you evaluate an existing program, you need to decide what the focus of that particular program is and how that program helps your students to fulfill their own purposes for learning English.
These guidelines outline a process for:
- planning your program around the intended focus;
- evaluating the success with which your program meets the needs of the learners;
- providing a measure of accountability to the public and to funders who need to know that programs meet community needs and priorities.
There is a vast body of experience and research in teaching and learning English as a Second Language which has provided a basis for these guidelines for 'best practice'. We look to this body of knowledge to establish standards for the best possible programs in Alberta. Regardless of the nature of your particular program, these are the common principles which can assist you to meet your students' needs.
There are two sections:
Part 1 begins with a brief definition of self evaluation, followed by the advantages of using such a process. Following that is advice on how to prepare for the process. This is followed by a set of principles for each Best Practice category.
Part 2 is the self evaluation document. The step by step description of each Best Practice category includes a checklist and a series of self study questions.