Topic: English for Specific Purposes | Participation Theory & Learner Autonomy - using youth work frameworks to measure soft skills and track real-world communicative development
Presenter: Karen Elaine Waites
Presentation details
This session draws on Elaine Waites' extensive experience designing and delivering innovative language programs across diverse educational settings—from vocational English courses in southern Italy to participatory curriculum development with at-risk youth.
Participants will explore how youth work principles—empowerment, participation, and mobility—translate directly into enhanced language learning outcomes. Elaine presents a practical assessment framework using the "insight wheel" tool, adapted from UK youth work practice, to set baselines, measure soft skills, and track learner progress across multiple contexts. During the session, participants will use the insight wheel to track their own learner journey, experiencing the assessment process firsthand.
The session includes four real-world case studies demonstrating the wheel tool's adaptability across different learner cohorts and educational settings:
Case Study 1: Digital School - English for Developers - Workplace preparation for work experience in international placements
Case Study 2: English for Erasmus - Learner-led curriculum planning with at-risk teenagers achieving zero dropout
Case Study 3: Alimenta Essential English - Community learning with young baristas who have Down's syndrome presenting with diverse support needs
Case Study 4: Wine Talks - Industry-responsive ESP for hospitality professionals and sommeliers
Elaine will also introduce practical tools including Hart's Ladder of Participation, the APIR holistic assessment framework from UK Connexions Service, and video-based self and peer assessment techniques—enabling educators to measure the intrapersonal and interpersonal skills that support both language acquisition and employability.
Participants will leave with an adaptable assessment tool to implement learner-centered vocational ELT in their own teaching contexts.
About the presenter
Karen Elaine is experienced LEA educator and youth development specialist, Elaine has worked as a life skills (E2E) mentor, Connexions personal/careers advisor, and regional development manager and volunteer trainer for Northumberland Clubs for Young People.
She brings a unique blend of vocational guidance, soft skills training and community-based education to her English language teaching practice.