by Peter Fisher

Created on: July 06, 2009

PTLLS Courses and the 'Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector' program are amongst the important new initiatives in UK education programmes for 2009.

PTLLS Courses (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector), sometimes known as "Peetles" Courses are for people wishing to teach or train adults (post 16) and the City and Guilds 7303 is now the minimum requirement for adult (post 16) training and provides the best grounding for trainer training courses.

City and Guilds 7303 is the starting point for anyone involved in the delivery of learning. The course is part of the National Qualifications Framework and is set at Level 3 and 4.

PTLLS courses are designed to enable trainers to:

* Adopt an integrative approach to the theory and practice of teaching and training.
* Reflect on their own previous/current levels of experience, practice and skills, and potential for development.
* Build up knowledge of principles of learning, teaching, assessment and evaluation.
* Develop their own communication and interpersonal skills.
* Develop an awareness of their professional role, the essential value systems which underpin it and the legal requirements for carrying out that role.

These training courses are usually run over five straight days with evening work as well, and there is a considerable amount of written work to be completed.

Candidates for PTLLS courses need a good standard of written and verbal communications skills as it involves reading of supplied reference books and researching specific topics, applying theory to practical scenarios and demonstrating knowledge and understanding through written work.

Assessment For PTLLS 7303: Candidates will be assessed against the standard by completing two assignments, one of which is a short (30 minutes) micro-teaching session.

This course is ideal for for trainer training courses because all new entrants to teaching in the sector will soon be required to complete a new award which will prepare them to teach. This is a small introductory course which will give a threshold status to teach as it leads to the nationally recognised City and Guilds 7303 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) certificate. It will be mandatory for any new teacher in the future. Those, for whom teaching/tutoring/training is their major role, will be required to progress to a further qualification appropriate to role.

Candidates who achieve a PTLLS award will:

* Have an understanding of the responsibilities and boundaries of their own role in relation to teaching/training
* Be able to identify and use appropriate teaching and learning approaches for the subject they intend to teach/deliver
* Be able to demonstrate session planning skills
* Understand how to deliver inclusive sessions which motivate learners
* Understand the use of different assessment methods and the need for record keeping
* Be able to reflect on their own practice and learning, and identify areas for further development

Learn more about this author, Peter Fisher.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.