An investigation of ESOL provision for adult Syrian refugees in Ireland: voices of support providers

This chapter describes a research project entitled An investigation of language and intercultural support for Syrian refugees in Ireland which explored the language and intercultural needs and supports provided to Syrian refugees who are resettling in towns across Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). This chapter focuses on the findings in relation to the provision of ESOL courses for adult refugees in the programme delivered by the local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Through consultation with support providers from educational, community and NGO sectors across a number of resettlement towns in Ireland, the researchers seek to evaluate existing services, identify needs, and inform the development of additional supports in relation to English language supports for Syrian refugees in Ireland. Findings suggest that there are important lessons to be learnt in relation to the duration, intensity, content and format of the ESOL provision provided to these students and highlight an urgent need for the development of clear guidelines and appropriate training for the support providers involved

Beyond ESOL provision: perspectives on language, intercultural and integration support for Syrian refugees in Ireland

This chapter is the second in this volume (the first being Chapter 5) to report on a research project investigating language and intercultural support for Syrian refugees who are being resettled in towns across Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Based on the perspectives of ESOL providers, resettlement workers, representatives of NGOs and organizations involved in the IRPP, as well as community-based service providers and volunteers, it explores the language and intercultural supports available to Syrian refugees beyond the official provision of English language training. Its findings indicate the need for intercultural training for those working with refugees, appropriate responses to refugees’ diverse needs, and support for sustainable integration in host communities. Emerging linguistic and cultural challenges faced by Syrian refugees in relation to employment, education, and social inclusion are discussed; the findings of this research point to the need for clear policy on refugee resettlement in Ireland

Beyond ESOL provision: perspectives on language, intercultural and integration support for Syrian refugees in Ireland

This chapter is the second in this volume (the first being Chapter 5) to report on a research project investigating language and intercultural support for Syrian refugees who are being resettled in towns across Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Based on the perspectives of ESOL providers, resettlement workers, representatives of NGOs and organizations involved in the IRPP, as well as community-based service providers and volunteers, it explores the language and intercultural supports available to Syrian refugees beyond the official provision of English language training. Its findings indicate the need for intercultural training for those working with refugees, appropriate responses to refugees’ diverse needs, and support for sustainable integration in host communities. Emerging linguistic and cultural challenges faced by Syrian refugees in relation to employment, education, and social inclusion are discussed; the findings of this research point to the need for clear policy on refugee resettlement in Ireland

Syrian voices: an exploration of the language learning needs and integration supports for adult Syrian refugees in Ireland

This paper describes a research project investigating language and intercultural support for adult Syrian refugees in Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Learning the language of the host community has been identified as a crucial factor in resettlement satisfaction for adult refugees, with particular difficulties reported in relation to older refugees, women, and those with low levels of literacy. This paper focuses on the voices of twenty-six adult Syrian refugees concerning their ongoing acquisition of English and interactions with members of the local community in the one to two years since their arrival, exploring their views regarding the importance of learning English and their perceptions of what constitutes both useful language learning supports and particular challenges for them. Findings point to the importance of language acquisition for adult refugees not only in relation to their prospects for employment, social interaction, and access to accurate information but also in relation to their sense of personal well-being, dignity and autonomy. The research highlights the need for a flexible approach to language learning and teaching in this context, utilizing a range of technological and bilingual supports, which respond to the particular circumstances, complex needs and previous learning experiences of the learners

An investigation of ESOL provision for adult Syrian refugees in Ireland: voices of support providers

This chapter describes a research project entitled An investigation of language and intercultural support for Syrian refugees in Ireland which explored the language and intercultural needs and supports provided to Syrian refugees who are resettling in towns across Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). This chapter focuses on the findings in relation to the provision of ESOL courses for adult refugees in the programme delivered by the local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Through consultation with support providers from educational, community and NGO sectors across a number of resettlement towns in Ireland, the researchers seek to evaluate existing services, identify needs, and inform the development of additional supports in relation to English language supports for Syrian refugees in Ireland. Findings suggest that there are important lessons to be learnt in relation to the duration, intensity, content and format of the ESOL provision provided to these students and highlight an urgent need for the development of clear guidelines and appropriate training for the support providers involved

Benefits of Utilizing the Documentary Super Size Me in a College Health-Related Fitness Course

Fast food culture has been evolving for over 30 years. Starting in California, fast food chains have infiltrated almost every facet of a person’s life. Fast food is not just served in restaurants but every where you can imagine, even in places that should be the model of health and wellness, hospitals. Unhealthy food has become a part of many people’s daily lives and research shows that 41% of adults surveyed by the Pew Research Center visit a fast food restaurant at least weekly (Taylor et.al, 2006). Taylor also notes that 59% of the 18-29 year-olds surveyed eat fast food at least once a week (2006). The money Americans have spent on fast food over the past 30 years has increased from $6 billion to over$110 billion which represents about a quarter of the adults in the United States who consume nearly three hamburgers and four orders of fries every week (Schlosser, 2001). McDonald’s, the leader of the pack, accounts for 43% of the total U.S. fast food market, operating more than 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries on 6 continents (Super Size Me, 2006)

Online news media reporting of ketamine as a treatment for depression from 2000 to 2017.

OBJECTIVES Since the first reporting of ketamine's antidepressant effects in 2000, there has been growing public interest in this novel rapid-acting treatment for depression despite its abuse potential. Online media is an increasingly popular way for the general public to source information. Our objective was to examine how online news outlets have portrayed ketamine as an antidepressant by ascertaining the volume and content of relevant articles and trends over time. METHODS In this semi-quantitative study, we identified articles regarding ketamine's use in depression from the 30 most popular English-language online news-generating sources over 18 years (2000-2017). Articles were then blindly assessed by 2 independent raters, who analysed the texts by quantifying the presence/absence of 12 content items. RESULTS We identified 97 articles, the number of which has increased since the first online news report in 2006. Most (69%) came from the USA and nearly all correctly stated the indications for ketamine. About half of the most recent articles mentioned abuse potential and 27% of articles referred to risks of unregulated use of ketamine. Just under 20% of articles referred to the lack of evidence regarding direct comparisons between ketamine and other currently available antidepressants. There was no difference in the overall level of detail within the articles during the study time period. CONCLUSIONS Online news media articles have been generally positive about ketamine for treating depression but need to be interpreted with caution as many of them did not discuss negative aspects of ketamine and made unsubstantiated claims about ketamine