As an RTO in Australia, it is crucial to ensure that all of your students have the support they need to succeed in their studies. One of the most important areas of support is Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN). Some students may require additional support in these areas to fully participate in their training and assessment.
So, what should you do if you have a student who needs LLN support? Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your student gets the support they need to succeed.
Identify the Student's LLN Needs
The first step in providing LLN support to a student is to identify their specific needs.
One of the biggest challenges for RTOs is identifying students who need LLN support. Students who need LLN support may not always self-identify, and it can be difficult to identify these students through standard enrolment processes. RTOs need to have appropriate systems in place to identify students who may require LLN support, such as through pre-training assessments and interviews.
An LLN assessment can also help you determine the most appropriate type and level of support that the student requires.
Provide Targeted LLN Support
Another challenge for RTOs is providing targeted and effective LLN support. Providing generic support may not address the specific needs of each individual student. RTOs need to provide support that is tailored to each student's specific LLN needs, which requires a thorough understanding of those needs. This can be achieved through an LLN assessment and working closely with the student to develop an individual support plan.
RTOs can use a variety of strategies to provide targeted support, including:
One-on-One Support: Providing individual support to the student can be an effective way to address their specific needs. This can include tutoring, coaching, or mentoring.
Group Support: Group support can also be effective, particularly for students who may benefit from peer support and interaction. This can include group tutorials, workshops, or online forums.
Additional Resources: Providing additional resources such as textbooks, workbooks, or online learning tools can also be beneficial for students who need extra support in LLN.
Adjusted Assessment Methods: Adjusting assessment methods can help students who struggle with LLN demonstrate their knowledge and skills. For example, providing oral assessments or allowing extra time for written assessments can help students who struggle with reading and writing.
Allocating Resources
RTOs also face challenges in allocating resources to provide LLN support. Providing targeted support can be resource-intensive, and RTOs may struggle to provide the necessary resources to support all students who need LLN support. RTOs need to allocate sufficient resources to provide effective LLN support, which may require seeking additional funding or partnering with external organisations to provide support.
Overcoming the Challenges
To overcome these challenges, RTOs need to take a proactive and comprehensive approach to providing LLN support. This includes:
- Establishing clear and effective processes for identifying students who need LLN support
- Providing targeted and individualised support that addresses each student's specific LLN needs
- Allocating sufficient resources to provide effective LLN support to all students who need it
- Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and keeping appropriate documentation
Document LLN Support Provided
It is important to document the LLN support provided to the student. This can include any assessments conducted, the type and level of support provided, and any adjustments made to assessment methods. This documentation can help to ensure that the student receives appropriate support and can also be used to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
Ensuring Compliance
RTOs also face compliance challenges when providing LLN support. RTOs are required to comply with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, which includes requirements for providing LLN support to students. RTOs need to ensure that they are meeting these requirements and keeping appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance.
Continuous Monitoring and Review
Finally, it is important to continuously monitor and review the LLN support provided to the student. This can help to ensure that the support is effective and that the student's needs are being met. If the student's needs change or evolve, it may be necessary to adjust the support provided to them.
Summary
Providing LLN support to students is an important aspect of ensuring that they have the support they need to succeed in their studies. As an RTO in Australia, it is important to identify students who require LLN support and to provide targeted and effective support to meet their needs. By following the steps outlined above, you can help your students achieve their full potential and succeed in their training and assessment.