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Innovative speaking and listening course sets teenagers up for success
10 Aug 2010
Words For Work, an exciting National Literacy Trust pilot, has released its evaluation report revealing that 9 in 10 young people believe they communicate better as a result of taking part.
The pilot, which focuses on developing young people’s listening and speaking skills by connecting them with local business people, also reports improved attitudes with 9 in 10 young people saying they now believe communication is a vital skill, compared to just 5 in 10 before the project began.
The potential positive impacts on society and local economies of a better prepared, more effective workforce remain the key drivers for Words For Work. The head of British Telecom has recently complained that a quarter of the 26,000 applicants for a BT apprenticeship programme “lacked the basic skills needed to get by in the workplace.”* The Words for Work pilot responds to this need and directly addresses these concerns about the communication skills of the young people who enter the workforce in the future.
Poor communication skills are often linked with low self-esteem, which manifests itself in a lack of engagement, poor attention span and distracted behaviour. Raising pupil’s confidence was a key outcome of the pilot. The evaluation report shows that Words For Work succeeded in this aim as 8 in 10 young people feel more confident about themselves since taking part and 8 in10 business volunteers agree they can see a change in the students.
Business volunteer Jackie Andrews says:
“One (girl) in particular who impressed me most by the end in terms of how much her confidence had grown and that she was then prepared to put herself forward for things, when at the beginning she had been almost unable to look at me.”
The business volunteers who gave up their time to work with the pupils were key to the success of the pilot. The young people were able to spend time with business volunteers in a situation that echoed a real work place, using speaking and listening skills and working as part of a team. Meaningful leaps in understanding and skill improvement took place and the volunteers enjoyed the satisfaction of really making a difference to the young people they worked with.
Student Hannah Slim says:
“I didn’t know much about work before, I didn’t know how important it (communication) is in work. It’s made me realise in a few years time this could really help me, like going for interviews and using these skills.”
The project has received resounding endorsement from the schools and businesses who took part this year, all of whom have signed up for the second pilot year, plans for which are already well underway.
Douglas Spinks, Deputy Chief Executive of Woking District Council says:
“It’s a win for employers and a win for pupils. From our point of view helping children to have the best chance of getting a job is good for the local economy.”
The first year pilot resources are being published in a pack for schools. Twelve schools around the country have signed up to deliver the second Words For Work pilot in 2011. The clusters of schools are in London, Surrey, Kent, West Midlands and Yorkshire. To date a mixture of private and public sector partners, who will provide volunteers, are being recruited. In the future, the National Literacy Trust plans to refine the Words For Work model to sustain it beyond the second year and to roll out to schools nationally.
To see a full copy of the Words For Work report click here.
* Gross M, (2010). So why can’t they read? July 2010, Centre for Policy Studies.
Ends
For further information about Words for Work or to arrange an interview with Words For Work Manager, Sally Melvin or National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas please contact Anna Lindsay, Public Relations Officer on 0207 820 6256 or Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk
1. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, make a donation here.
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.
2. About Words for Work
Two schools were involved in the pilot project this year, Rosedale College in Hayes and Bishop David Brown School in Woking. In total, 50 young people and 27 volunteers from five local businesses took part in the Words for Work pilot. The workshops ran until 22 June. At an event on 5 July participants came together to celebrate their involvement and showcase their work.
During the second pilot year in 2011, Words for Work will roll out to 12 to15 schools nationally to test its feasibility. Schools that sign up will be given a resource pack and a link to local businesses from which to recruit volunteers. The National Literacy Trust will provide ongoing support to schools, monitor delivery and evaluation and provide training for business volunteers.
