PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The 21st century is characterized by the on-going change from industrial society to a “knowledge society”. The so called “up-skilling” of employees and therewith the trend towards higher qualifications is evident. The qualifications that an employee has is important for an individual to be able to compete in the European labour market.
Despite the fact that well qualified employees are looked after, these young people are often not available for the labour market. Furthermore lack of professional qualifications has a substantial impact on the individual, social and economic development of the people concerned, as well as on the economic development of the relevant
countries in general. It is increasingly important, therefore, that young adults are supported to develop their literacy, language and numeracy skills.
AIMS + OUTCOMES:
The impact MoLeYa envisages is to inform and raise awareness of the reasons and the effects of the averting learning behaviour and the motivation problems of (young) learners facing illiteracy. The project intends to gain knowledge through experts discussions as well as interveiws with learners and literature reserach. For us this reserach is the basis to improve the learning conditions and the learning motivation of young adults facing functional illiteracy.
The main tools for the reserach are:
1) Analysis of Trainers / Teachers:
Teachers / Trainers and staff working with young adults facing functional illiteracy will come together in focus groups on a regional and European Level to discuss and analyze the learning and motivational needs of these
young adults, as well as the given learning settings and teacher skills and knowledge about the motivation of young learners with basic education needs.
2) Analysis of young adults with learning needs:
Young adults who already participate in educational offers will be interviewed. Through these interviews the partnership will gain knowledge about their specific learning
biography and learning motivations, as well as their needs and their ideas about learning settings and literacy courses.
PROJECT PRODUCTS:
The MOTIVATION GUIDE – includes information which will be based on narrative interviews, summaries of expert’s discussions as well as the literature research. It will also provide information about motivation as well as good practice examples and learners voices. The
guide will also include recommendations for a teachers / trainers who work in field of basic education.
The highlight of the Project is the EUROPEAN CONFERENCE on Motivating and Encouraging young Adults to learn ing. This conference will take place in Jena, March 2010.
Through lectures, discussion forums and
workshops, teachers and trainers working in the field of illiteracy will be able to exchange experiences as well as to learn more about illiteracy in other European countries and to gather new working strategies and networks.
