Komvux Södervärn. English

Transcription

1 Komvux Södervärn English 1

2 WELCOME TO MALMÖ A CITY IN TRANSITION! Fotograf: Pierre Mens Malmö is the commercial centre of southern An exceptionally well developed Sweden and an international city. This is expressed, not least, by the fact that it has 265,000 residents who speak some 100 languages and belong to 164 different nationalities. infrastructure makes Malmö very easy to reach, whatever means of transport you use to get here: boat, plane, train or car. Malmö has an international harbour and the airports Kastrup and Sturup are only half an hour s journey from the centre of Malmö is also undergoing a transition from being an industrial city to a city of knowledge. Older industries have been replaced by investments in new technology Malmö. The motorway reaches right into the city centre and Malmö has excellent rail connections with the rest of Sweden and Europe. and training programmes of high calibre. Malmö University, which opened in 1998, is Sweden s latest venture in the field of higher education, accommodating some 15,000 students. The City of Malmö is active in encouraging an attractive business environment and a dynamic business community in Malmö. Source: 2 3

3 WELCOME TO KOMVUX SÖDERVÄRN! Komvux Södervärn provides municipal adult education at many different levels. We can offer, for example, both courses in Swedish for Immigrants and education corresponding to 9-year compulsory school and upper secondary school levels. Most courses can also be taken in the evening. We have the only courses in Malmö for adults with learning disabilities (Särvux). A large part of our work is directed towards helping students who for different reasons need extra support during their studies. For example, we have special classes for people with dyslexia, a maths workshop, a language-learning support group and a pronunciation training group. Lärcenter Södervärn, our new learning centre, offers students the opportunity to study at their own pace and to commence their studies whenever they wish during the academic year. We also participate in several educational projects in cooperation with various local government organisations in Malmö. The teaching staff, study counsellors, careers officers and welfare officers all have the experience and qualifications necessary to be able to give the right kind of support to the students. As an adult you can study various separate courses and subjects. You can study at different levels, full-time and part-time, day-time and in the evenings. The teaching methods are adapted for adults which means that they are based on adult experience, knowledge and interests and on the fact that adults are both willing and able to take responsibility for their studies. If you should require further information, please contact our study counsellors and welfare officers. 4 5

4 Basic education and upper secondary education for adults At Komvux Södervärn we specialise in courses Komvux Södervärn has approximately 1100 students who study Basic Education and Upper Secondary Education for Adults. A student in the following core subjects within the frame- who attends standard courses and studies full- work of basic adult education (9-year time has about hours of lessons a week. compulsory school level). Students are also required to do homework. Our courses vary in both the number of Subjects: classroom hours and the pace of work in order Swedish to accommodate all types of students. Swedish as a Second Language Mathematics English Social Studies History Lärcenter Södervärn Studying at Lärcenter Södervärn, our new Learning Centre at Komvux, gives you the opportunity to commence your studies Courses can be followed both full-time and parttime and can be combined with practical work Swedish for Immigrants SFI Immigrants who lack basic knowledge of the Swe- Basic Computer Skills whenever you wish. The course starts with an experience or a job. The length of your course dish language have the right to study Swedish for introductory session where you discuss your depends on your wishes and needs. You can Immigrants. Komvux Södervärn has approximately Within the framework of advanced adult studies with us and we make an individual study enrol and start studying whenever you want. 800 students who study SFI between 12 and 15 education (upper secondary school level) we plan based on your personal situation and needs. hours a week. The students develop basic language offer the same subjects as above and also For those who do not have Swedish as a native skills and learn about how Swedish society is Religion After the introductory session you receive an language an exam pass is required at SFI level, organized and its most fundamental values. The Science individual study timetable. You then belong (Swedish For Immigrants). goal is to give the students enough knowledge of Psychology to a group with both joint lessons and Swedish to communicate effectively in everyday Arts and Crafts individually planned studies in Swedish, For further information, please contact us at situations, in their social lives and at work. These Computer Studies Swedish as a Second Language, English, Mat- larcenter.sodervarn@malmo.se or call courses are available both during the day and in Web Design hematics and Civics the evening. 6 7

5 Särvux The Särvux students are divided into three General courses: Orientation Course levels, depending upon their mental ability. Data Processing Some students have additional handicaps, such English as being physically disabled, autistic, visually Swedish impaired, or hearing impaired. Swedish as a Second Language Reading Courses Särvux is a part of Komvux, and is located in Introducing Easy Readers the same building. There are seven teachers, who work with eighty-five students. The students are aged between twenty-one years Reading and Writing Course Money and Economy Mathematics The school year The school year, which comprises a total of market which means that both teaching methods and study materials should be suitably adapted. and sixty years, and they attend school between Social Studies about 40 weeks, normally starts in the second Unlike school children, adult students are given 2.5 and 14.5 hours per week, with a weekly half of August and runs through until the the opportunity to commence their studies at average of 3.2 hours per week. The education Thematic courses: beginning of June the following year. The any time during the academic year. The holidays provided is free of charge, and the number of Read and Travel in Skåne regular school week is five days long, Monday may become shorter so that studying full-time students in each group varies from between one Feel Good to Friday. A longer holiday of just over two becomes similar to having an ordinary job. to nine, with an average of 3.2 in each group. Our course prospectus offers the student twenty Being an Adult We also offer courses in conjunction with other weeks is taken from around the 20th December to the beginning of January. Who can study at Komvux Södervärn? In the local adult education system you can start different courses with enrolment twice a year, organisations for people with severe learning The adult education system in Sweden is under- studying from the year you reach 20. There is in both August and January. difficulties. going something of a transformation leading to no upper age limit. Adult education is intended The education provided is of a mainly practical increased access to education throughout the for anyone who lacks knowledge or who has gaps nature, depending on the mental ability of each year. The course content will be more closely in the knowledge that these courses aim to prov- student. We offer the following courses: based on the needs of society and the labour ide. The education provided is free of charge. 8 9

6 The following pages give a brief description of the Swedish Education System and the goals for Adult Education. *AUC - Work and Development Centers, co-operation with employment service, the social insurance office and adult education

7 ADULT EDUCATION: GOALS AND STRATEGIES Under the parliamentary resolution of 18 May 2001 pursuant to the government bill Adult Learning and The Development of Adult Education (Bill no. 2000/01:72), the following guidelines regarding the development of Adult Learning shall apply. Aims All adults shall be given the opportunity to broaden their education and improve their qualifications, with a view to promoting personal development, democracy, equality, economic growth and employment, as well as a just apportionment of society s resources. Strategy Teaching and working methods of instruction are continually developed in order to meet the changing and growing needs of the individual for learning, in a society which imposes increasing professional demands. The individual is assisted in their quest for knowledge and learning through consultation and guidance, which are based on recognised acquired proficiency. Appropriate teaching environments, tuition, personal supervision and web-based instruction are offered to meet the varying educational needs and requirements of all adults as far as possible. Financial assistance is offered to adults in order to encourage participation in education and improvement of their qualifications. The community, employers and each individual have a common responsibility to ensure that the educational needs of each person and each different group should be met. This should be carried out both in respect to general as well as specialised education. All formal, as well as non-formal types of learning which enjoy the support of the community, should be characterised by a democratic attitude and respect for the integrity of the individual. A further means to achieve the goals of adult education as outlined above is the endeavour to attain a broad political consensus, as well as cooperation between authorities, the commercial sector and non-governmental organisations. Adult Education in Sweden Adult education in Sweden is extensive and has a long tradition. Adult education exists in many different forms and is organized by many different operators, from national and municipal adult education, to labour market training, inservice training and skills enhancement in the workplace. The public school system for adults includes municipal adult education (Komvux), education for adults with learning disabilities (Särvux) and Swedish for immigrants (SFI). Municipal Adult Education Municipal adult education (Komvux) includes basic- and upper secondary education, as well as continuing education programs. Komvux was established in 1968 to offer education to adults who lacked the equivalent of compulsory school or upper secondary school. A new curriculum for municipal adult education was introduced 1 July Basic Education for Adults Basic education for adults corresponds to the regular 9-year compulsory school. The education shall give adult students the basic skills necessary to live and work in the community, and prepares them for further study. The level at which studies begin is determined by the prerequisites of each participant. Studies are considered complete when the objectives of the individual program have been reached. Participants may choose the rate of study themselves, enabling them to combine studies with work or practical work experience. Basic adult education studies can lead to a level corresponding to the 9-year compulsory education. Compulsory school equivalence for adults is a final grade (leaving certificate) with a passing grade in the four core subjects: 12 13

8 Education for Adults with Learning Disabilities Education for adults with learning disabilities The Swedish Agency for Flexible Learning (CFL) Sweden s Agency for Flexible Learning (Särvux) is a form of education of its own that was established 1 January 2002, when the na- is geared to adults with learning disabilities. tional schools for adults and parts of the Swe- Särvux follows the same curriculum as municipal up- dish Agency for Distance Education (Distum) amalgamated. The task of the Agency is to support municipalities, adult colleges (folk high per secondary for adults and regular upper schools) and education associations and other secondary school, but uses specially-adapted adult education organizers, to develop more Swedish (or Swedish as a Second Language), English, Mathematics and Social Studies. Grades for other courses may also be included in the leaving certificate. The municipality has an obligation to provide basic education for adults lacking compulsory school equivalence. Upper Secondary Education for Adults Adult upper secondary education and the regular upper secondary school for youths share the same syllabuses and, from 1 July 1994, also the same curriculum. The education for adults is comparable to the education given in the regular upper secondary school, though not identical. Municipal education for adults is coursebased, with courses in the different subjects building on one another. The skills and knowledge of adult students shall be augmented such that they achieve the same level of education as youths in regular upper secondary. The emphasis, content and scope of courses an, however, differ from that of regular upper secondary school courses. The rate of study and number of subjects studied, as well as how these are combined, is determined by the adults themselves. Many study only individual courses. Participants who have completed all of the core subjects and other courses totalling a minimum of 1,750 upper secondary credits are entitled to receive a final grade from adult upper secondary education (learning certificate). syllabi and timetables. The education is meant to augment the education of adults with learning disabilities based on the individual student s prior training, experience or other prerequisites. The programs offered can therefore lead to skills in individual subjects, as well as equivalence to compulsory school or upper secondary vocational training for adults with learning disabilities. Swedish for Immigrants Swedish for immigrants (SFI) provides knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society. Municipalities have an obligation to offer SFI to newly arrived adult immigrants. Programs may be organized differently from municipality to municipality. flexible courses and forms of education. The Agency s head office and General Director and staff are located in Hässleholm, with operative units located in Härnösand and Norrköping. Labour Market Training Labour market training is a labour market policy tool that targets the unemployed. The purpose of labour market training is to provide unemployed persons basic or supplementary vocational training. In following with parliamentary decisions, the National Labour Market Board is allocated funding which is in turn distributed to county labour boards and employment offices. The local institutions then purchase various training programs from different education organizers. Source:

9 KOMVUX SÖDERVÄRN OUR ORGANISATION Spårvägsgatan Malmö Sweden Telefax: Reception komvuxsr@malmo.se Principal Torbjörn Hanö: torbjorn.hano@malmo.se International Coordinator Pia Ritter Holmgren: pia.ritter@malmo.se Unit for Learning Disabled (Särvux) sarvux@malmo.se Learning Centre (Lärcenter) larcenter.sodervarn@malmo.se Study and Careers Counsellor ingrid.akesson@malmo.se Study and Careers Counsellor gunnel.schold@malmo.se Welfare Officer ann-kristin.hansson@malmo.se 16 17

10 Notes 18 19

11 Foto och grafisk form: Utbildningsförvaltningens informationsavdelning