student handbook
LANGUAGE, LITERACY & NUMERACY SUPPORT
introduction
Welcome to Your New Career! About Us (VNS) A Note from our Managing Director USI & Student Numbers Personal RequirementsTECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS & ACCESS
Technical Requirements Log in Details Start Studying Textbooks & ResourcesASSESSMENT
Competency Based Training Student Assist: Getting Help Assessment Marking Times Written Assessments Video Assessments Practical Workshops Assessment Appeals Reasonable Adjustment Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment Attempts Equine & Mixed Practice Ethical use of AIFEES, FINANCE & PAYMENT PLANS
Payment Plan Information Fees Course Tuition Fee Refunds Financial Hardshipstudying with us
Tips for Studying Online Adult Learning Environment Academic Honesty Student Code of Conduct Student Misconduct Procedure Unreasonable Conduct by Students Unreasonable Student Conduct Procedure Enrolment Duration & Extending Being an Active Student Course Changes & Updates Language, Literacy & Numeracy Support Changing Workplaces Changing Personal Details Withdrawing from Study Credit Transfers Graduation Third Party Access Under 18 Students: Info for parents & guardians PregnancyOTHER POLICIES
Complaints Policy Privacy Policy Glossary: Helpful Terms Western Australia Veterinary Nurse RegistrationGetting Ready for Success: Your Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) Assessment
Before you dive into your exciting study journey with us, there's a quick but important step: an LLN assessment. Think of it as a friendly check-in to make sure you have the foundational skills to thrive in your chosen qualification level.
This assessment looks at five key areas that are super important for successful learning:
- Learning: How you pick up new things.
- Reading: Understanding written information (like textbooks and care notes).
- Writing: Clearly communicating in writing (assessments, reports, emails, etc.).
- Oral Communication: Confidently discussing information and asking questions.
- Numeracy: Working with numbers (medication dosages, calculations, etc.).
Based on the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF), you'll receive a score in each of these areas. To start your training, there are minimum levels you'll need to meet, depending on the specific qualification you're enrolled in.
For each skill, you'll be marked as either:
- "Exit Level": Awesome! This means you're already proficient at that level.
- "Working Level": Great! You're close to being proficient and will likely get there with the training we provide throughout the course.
What Happens if We Need a Little Extra Support?
If the assessment shows that your LLN level is a bit below what the course requires, don't worry! We're here to help. We'll chat with you about your results and discuss the best options. This might include:
- Accessing our in-house support: We may offer some extra training to help you build those skills and then you can retake the LLN assessment.
- Exploring external options: We might suggest that you seek some external support or training first. In this case, we'd put your enrolment on hold until you feel ready to rejoin us.
In the rare situation where your LLN skills are significantly below the course requirements, we unfortunately reserve the right to refuse enrolment. If this happens, you'll receive a full refund of any course fees you've paid.
Why is this important?
This assessment isn't meant to be a hurdle. It's about setting you up for success and ensuring you have the tools you need to confidently learn and excel in your animal care studies. We're committed to supporting you on your learning journey!
Need a Little Extra Support? Let's Chat!
If you have any concerns about your language, literacy, or numeracy skills, or if you think you might benefit from flexible learning or different ways of studying, please reach out to us before you enrol or start your course.
We're here to listen and will do our best to accommodate your needs. This might involve adjusting how you learn with us. However, to ensure you have the best possible chance of success, we may also suggest some external LLN support services that can provide more specialised assistance.
In some cases, after discussing your needs, we might honestly feel that our current program isn't the perfect fit for your unique learning style. We want you to thrive, and sometimes that means helping you find the most suitable learning environment, even if it's not with us.
EXTERNAL LLN SERVICES
There are many external resources available to assist all students with improving their LLN skills.
Local adult learning centres are often a good resource for improving your computer skills.
Australian Council for Adult Literacy
Lifelong Learning Council (Queensland)
Reading Writing Hotline: 1300 655 506
Alison.com offers free English language skills including writing skills