[eal-bilingual] Submission for EAL-bilingual list

The University of Bedfordshire School of Education is offering a University 
Advanced Professional Certificate course
at its Putteridge Bury Campus - SEN and EAL: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO 
LEARNING.

When children learning English as an additional language (EAL) show learning 
difficulties, it is not easy to determine
whether the cause of the problems is special educational needs (SEN) or 
language difference. This course is designed
for teachers who wish to understand and overcome that dilemma. The course 
aims to:
.    support participants to develop an advanced understanding of 
developmental issues that arise when second
      language acquisition is affected by learning difficulties
.    enhance participants' ability to respond to the teaching needs of 
pupils learning EAL who have learning difficulties
     or SEN;
.    train participants in a case study approach to professional development 
in this field;
.    prepare experienced participants for leadership roles in this field.

The course will be taught by Tony Cline, co-author of the best-selling 
textbook Special Educational Needs, Inclusion
and Diversity.

The schedule is designed to ensure that participants can study the course 
effectively with minimal interruption to school
timetables. There will be four days' work for the whole group at Luton. In 
addition, there will be four Tutorial Days when
individual and small group work can be undertaken at Luton under supervision 
or with distance learning support using the
University's electronic Blackboard system. During these dates course members 
will be required to allocate at least one
hour to supportive contact with a tutor or with other participants. That 
contact may be timed within or outside school hours
as desired. The course will begin with a learning audit after which 
individual study programmes will be developed, taking
account of participants' previous experience and established areas of 
expertise and skill.

There will be an Open Evening about the course at Putteridge Bury on Tuesday 
20th November. The course will begin in
February 2008 and end in July.

For fuller information and application forms contact Deborah Bachini by 
telephone (01582-489030 mornings only) or e-mail

(deborah.bachini at beds.ac.uk) or post (University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge 
Bury, Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 8LE.