“Bridging Barriers – Competence development of teachers in adult basic education” is a two-year project funded by the European Union Erasmus+ framework bringing together researchers, teachers and course providers from Austria, Italy, Slovakia and Switzerland to develop a competence matrix, a further training curriculum and a pilot course for teachers in adult basic education (ABE) with the goal to enhance the professionalism of educators in this field. 3s is the coordinating partner in the consortium.
Background
Adult basic education (ABE) forms a vital part of adult education, allowing adults to improve their basic skills in reading, writing, calculating as well as in using IT in professional and everyday life.In addition, ABE is supporting migrants who have received only rudimentary education prior to their move to acquire good skills in the use of the language of the receiving country. ABE is organized in different ways across Europe, reflecting different historical pathways, institutional environments and policies. Teachers in ABE have entered the field based on a diverse set of educational backgrounds, experiences and competences. Skills crucial for successfully helping adults to acquire basic skills are typically not described in a systematic manner.
Aims
The project aims to improve the professionalism of ABE teachers in Europe by developing new approaches to make visible and systematise the specific skills and competences applied in this field and to support the development of a European profile of ABE teachers’ competences while also enhancing networking among teachers in the field. Core outcomes of the project will include
- A competence matrix on skills used by ABE teachers in delivering adult basic education, applying proven approaches (VQTS) in the field
- A curriculum for ABE teachers targeting their skills in helping students with overcoming learning barriers
- A handbook supporting the implementation of train-the-trainer courses modelled on the developed curriculum
Project Collaborators:
- Austria: 3s Research & Consulting (Coordinator)
- Austria: ISOP – INNOVATIVE SOCIAL PROJECTS, www.isop.at
- Italy: Il Mondo nella città, www.ilmondonellacitta.it
- Slovakia: e-code, www.e-code.sk
- Switzerland: SVEB – Swiss Federation for Adult Learning, www.alice.ch
Project website: www.bridgingbarriers.eu
Contact: Eva Steinheimer