National Code: 21499VIC

Course Location and Contact Information

Course Description

The Certificate III in ESL Employment - English for Child Care is designed for students who want to work in the child care industry. This is a new course developed in conjunction with the Health and Community Studies (HACS) department. It is aimed at students whose English is around intermediate level who would benefit from English language support based on the content of the Certificate II in Community Services (Children’s Services). Participants study modules from the Certificate II in Community Services for one day a week with the HACS department, and for three days a week they do English language training and receive support. At the end of the year, successful students will have completed the Certificate III in ESL Employment and the Certificate II in Community Services. Successful students who apply for the Certificate III in Community Services through the HACS department can receive credits for half of the modules in that certificate.

Students will develop the academic skills required to undertake the children’s services course. Course content will be based around the competencies required in the Certificate II in Community (Children’s Services) Training Package and students will get the opportunity to develop practical skills through workshops and practical placement.

Career Opportunities

After they have completed the Certificate III in Children’s Services, students may work as child-care assistants, family day carers, nannies, out-of-school hours assistants or recreation assistants.

Course Duration

Students study for 20 hours a week for one year at the Certificate III level.

Course Commencement Dates

February

Entrance Requirements

All applicants are interviewed before placement in the program.

Application Procedures

Apply directly to the Vocational Pathways Department.

Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers

Students may be eligible for exemptions/transfers on the basis of previous qualifications.

Pathways to Further Study

Following completion of the Certificate II in Community Services (Children’s Services), students may go on to study the Certificate III in Children’s Services (with credits in half the modules), followed by the Certificate IV in Out of School Hours, the Diploma of Out of School Hours, the Diploma of Children’s Services or other community related fields.

Course Outline

Course modules

• Reading
• Writing
• Listening
• Speaking
• Practical Placement
• Health and Medicine

Course content

• English language study at intermediate level
• Work experience
• Introduction to child studies
• Exploring training and career pathways leading to work in children's services

How students learn

• Individual and group tasks
• Computer and internet access and training
• Guest speakers from child-care and government agencies
• Visits to child-care organisations
• Research and presentation projects

Assessment Methods

Assessment is continuous and ongoing, focusing on the process of learning as well as the competency requirements of the modules of the ESL Framework, as well as competency in the workplace, during their work experience. As part of the assessment, students develop a folio of work. Training package modules will be assessed by an accredited assessor.

Materials

Students are required to provide their own stationery and writing materials. Worksheets will be provided during the course.

Students also have access to a range of facilities and services to assist with their learning and well-being while at TAFE.

• Independent Learning Centre
• computer and language labs
• vocational counselling
• library facilities
• sports and recreational facilities.

Qualification

As part of the Australian Qualifications Framework these programs are nationally recognised. On successful completion students will be awarded the Certificate III ESL Framework in the Employment stream. They will also achieve certification in a number of training package modules of the Certificate III in Children's Services.

Links

The Victorian Government makes a significant contribution to these programs.