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The Adult Refugee Programme is open to all those with refugee status. This is interpreted as being in possession of a valid Green Card with a stamp 4. Participation in the Programme is available for a period of up to 6 months, 20 hours per week. This does not necessarily have to be continuous and in very general terms translates to approximately 460 hours for each Programme participant. There are 2 distinct types of classes that are operated; those as part of initial assistance to Programme Refugees resettled in Ireland (programme is available for 1 year) and those in areas identified with a significant population of refugees.
The purpose of the Programme is to assist as best possible in a process of integration into Irish society and at all times during the Programme participants must be actively seeking employment. The Programme offers assistance in 3 ways: up-skilling English language ability, assistance in accessing the work/study place and, through social activities, an increase in the understanding of both the culture and the general characteristics of Ireland.
The Programme runs nation-wide (currently in Meath, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, County Dublin, City of Dublin, Laois, Limerick, Kerry and Kildare) and is administered on a day to day basis through these 13 VECs, within whose geographical areas the Programme is operating. These areas are subject to change in line with the identification of changing needs.
In January 2009 County Dublin VEC was appointed as lead VEC for the overall running of the Programme. Nationally, the Programme is overseen by a National Co-ordinator and a National Administrator.
Three Programme newsletters are produced each year, which can be accessed through this website.
adult refugee programme details.
The Adult Refugee Programme
Definitive Programme detail:
1) The Adult Refugee Programme is open to all those with refugee status. This is interpreted as those being in possession of a valid Green Card with a stamp 4.
2) All Adult Refugee programme participants must be in possession of a valid Green Card with a stamp 4 for the full duration of their participation in the Programme.
3) All Adult Refugee Programme participants are available for work and should be actively seeking employment.
4) Programme participation is available for a period of up to 6 months (programme refugees resettled in Ireland are entitled to a 1 year programme), which does not necessarily have to be continuous.
5) The purpose of the Programme is to effectively assist in the integration into Irish society of those with refugee status.
6) A survey of refugees in ‘Mapping Integration: UNHCR’s Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming Project on Refugee Integration in Ireland 2008/09’, available on website www.unhcr.ie, found that refugees themselves identified four priority areas in the integration process: a) Improving access to education and employment b) Improving public knowledge about refugees c) Better English classes d) Clearer information about Government policy
7) The Programme will at all times strive to enhance the participant’s English language ability, enhance the participant’s ability to access the work/study place and increase the participant’s knowledge of both the culture and general characteristics of Ireland.
8) Maximum class size will be 16 participants.
9) Each Programme participant will initially be assessed in English language ability using the Oxford Quick Placement Test (copies available through Grainne Scully –
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). [Tests will be administered by Programme tutors/co-ordinators].
10) Each Programme participant will receive a Programme end of course certificate detailing course content.
11) Each course participant (good A2 level upwards [see note 1]), will be encouraged to sit an on-line BULATS assessment certified by University of Cambridge [see note 2].
12) All course participants will undergo an initial needs analysis (conducted by Programme tutors/co-ordinators), which will inform decisions as to course content.
13) Wherever possible, the Programme will seek to incorporate FETAC accreditation (see note 3).
14) A comprehensive series of visits should be an integral part of the Programme, as should a series of speakers visiting the programme.
15) Guidance (at times it may be possible to utilise VEC guidance facilities; some classes have access to ‘guidance’ through ‘Partnership’ co-operation; in other cases tutor/co-ordinator input may be a possibility) should, where possible, be provided during the programme and a clear follow-on plan given to each participant at the completion of his/her programme.
Programme content:
In line with stated objectives, the Programme will:
1) Include effective English language tuition. Unless there is a specific reason, each Programme participant should reach a minimum of a good A2 level. The Programme will however strive for a B1 level (the first rung of the Independent User, as defined by the Common European Framework for language assessment [see note 4]). Confirmation of English language level achieved will be through BULATS assessment.
2) Include effective work/study place skills. These will include computer literacy, CV preparation, work-place written genres, interview skills, work/study place vocabulary, visits and talks.
3) Include information on Irish culture/characteristics/general information in line with class need.
4) Include on-going and regular discussion with participants to ensure that Programme content is addressing analysed needs in an effective manner.
5) Include on-going and regular feedback/evaluation.
Programme outcomes:
After a maximum of a six month programme (1 year for programme refugees), the participant should have an effective grounding in the skills required for effective integration into Irish society and a meaningful, mapped pathway for future activity.
Optional Programme content/activity:
1) Work experience (through voluntary placement schemes).
2) Project and group work.
3) Class twinning.
4) A mentoring system (through volunteer involvement).
5) All participants need not follow the same activities all the time.
6) A variety of FETAC modules.
7) Preparation for identified accreditation, where appropriate.
Notes:
1) The term ‘A2’ refers to the ‘Common European Framework’ for language which ‘provides a common basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses, curriculum guidelines, examinations, textbooks, etc. across Europe – full document available at www.coe.int/T/DG4/Linguistic/CADRE_EN.asp - . The term ‘A2’ is, in general terms, defined as: ‘Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need’ (page 24 ‘The Common European Framework in its political and educational context’ – website link as above).
2) BULATS is an acronym for ‘Business Language Testing Service’ – further information available on www.bulats.org/ - full training in the administering of BULATS assessments will be available.
3) FETAC is an acronym for ‘The Further Education and Training Awards Council’, the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland – further information available on www.fetac.ie/
4) Further to note 1, a ‘B1’ Council of Europe level is defined as: ‘Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans’ (referenced as in 1 above).
5) Further and fuller information on any detail in this document can be obtained from either Stephen Bearpark (National Co-ordinator) or Grainne Scully (National Administrator) at
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or
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accessing intercultural materials (aim)
Accessing Intercultural Materials (AIM) Portal
The Accessing Intercultural Materials (AIM) database is an information repository on migrants and education developed by the Department of Education and Science. The database contains links to:
1. information on the Irish education system
2. resources available for intercultural education
3. organisations and institutions (in Ireland and abroad) conducting educational research on migration.
It will be of interest to all sectors of education, from pre-school to third level, involved in newcomer and intercultural education. It provides information for policy makers, parents, teachers, researchers, and others who are interested in newcomers and their education here in Ireland.
The Accessing Intercultural Materials (AIM) database is an information repository on migrants and education developed by the Department of Education and Science. The database contains links to:
1. information on the Irish education system
2. resources available for intercultural education
3. organisations and institutions (in Ireland and abroad) conducting educational research on migration.
It will be of interest to all sectors of education, from pre-school to third level, involved in newcomer and intercultural education. It provides information for policy makers, parents, teachers, researchers, and others who are interested in newcomers and their education here in Ireland.
To access the the AIM portal please select the link below:
