The Situation on Adult Literacy in Ireland

1. The Situation on Adult Literacy in Ireland By Alice Bennett, Michelle Mitchell and James Prior

2. Literacy in Ireland “ In the past literacy was considered to be the ability to read and write. Today the meaning of literacy has changed to reflect changes in society and the skills needed by individuals to participate fully in society. It involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and using everyday technology to communicate and handle information” (www.nala.ie)

3. According to a recent survey conducted by the OECD (PIAAC) in 24 Countries between 16-65 year olds Ireland ranked as follows:

4. In Literacy: • 15th with 17.9% at Level 1 or below • This number has however dropped from 22% in 1997. • This means about 1 in 6 Irish Adults are below level 1 on a 5 level literacy scale. • Essentially at this level a person may be unable to understand basic written information (www.nala.ie).

5. In Numeracy • Ireland rates 18th out of the 24 Countries • Just over 25% (763,969) of Irish adults score at or below Level 1 for numeracy compared to an average of just over 20% for participating countries (www.nala.ie)

6. In Numeracy • Males score higher than females by 12 points • Adults aged 25 – 34 have the highest literacy mean score in Ireland while adults aged 55 – 65 have the lowest mean score

7. I.T Problem Solving Environments • Ranked just below average at 42% of Irish Adults being at Level 1 on below. • Ireland compares best with Finland (39.9%), Estonia (42.8%) and Sweden 43.9%) in this area. • Males in this area score higher than females by 6 points.

8. I.T Problem Solving Environments • 10% of Irish Adults said they had no computer experience. • 5% of participants failed the assessment • 17% opted not to take the assessment.

9. National Resource Agency: NALA The National Adult Literacy Agency is an independent membership organisation, concerned with developing policy, advocacy, research and offering advisory services in adult literacy work in Ireland. www.nala.ie

10. NALA • NALA is essentially a charity committed to making sure people with literacy and numeracy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs.

11. NALA’s Learner Ambassador Programme • A Learner Ambassador is a student who shares their story about the benefits of returning to education with people in their community and by doing so often motivates others to take up a learning opportunity. • Learner Ambassadors help motivate and encourage other adults to take up a learning opportunity in Ireland. Learners are vital in bringing to life the benefits of returning to education and motivating others, in a similar position, to do the same.

12. Case Study: Limerick City

13. Limerick City Adult Literacy Service Profile

14. 2013 Highlights • New Essential Skills programmes (intensive model of literacy provision) consolidated as our standard approach • FirstSteps programme (induction) rolled out across the Service • 21 Traveller Women participate in Primary Health Care Advocacy Programme and 15 gain employment • In December 2013, 165 minor modules Level 2 & 122 minor modules Level 3 were presented for authentication. • 16 learners achieved a General Learning Certificate Level 2 • 11 learners achieved a General Learning Certificate at Level 3

15. Modules/Levels & Certificates 2013

16. Modules/Levels & Certificates 2013

17. Change in Learner Profile • 2013 continued pattern of change in learner profiles. • Increased referrals from the Department of Social Protection and other referral agencies of learners with lower levels of literacy and numeracy and greater levels of educational needs. • Many learners presenting with additional issues such as mental health challenges, addiction issues, psychological and emotional issues. • Referrals very much welcomed but quite a challenge to tutors and staff to effectively, positively and constructively meet learners’ needs. • BES is flexible and adaptable and creative approaches are continually being developed within course delivery to ensure effective learning takes place.

18. New Routes Essential Skills New Routes Essential Skills Programmes (learners coming twice per week working toward multiple modules/full awards) in over 30 city-wide locations: • FETAC Level 1 and 2 – General Learning programmes encompassing reading, writing, IT and digital skills, communications and personal development • Junior Cert English, Maths & History • FETAC level 3 Communications, Computer literacy & Numeracy

19. Basic Maths at FETAC level 2 and 3 • Themed literacy through Computing, Driver Theory, Childcare, Cookery, Health Literacy and Living in a Diverse Society • Personal Development • Family Learning • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Level 1, 2, 3

20. First Steps Programme • Developed in 2013 to address some fears learners may experience as they re-engage in education, particularly towards the Essential Skills (more intensive) model outlined above. • First Steps programme designed to allow learners explore and develop knowledge and skills required to become active participants within the Adult Education Service. • Tutor pack developed that is literacy friendly and can be delivered to students who present at literacy level 2 and level 3.

21. The contents address the potential issues that can become barriers to learning in non-threatening but challenging ways. • Divided into standalone topics that can be delivered separately as individual topics or as a whole programme. • The FirstSteps programme is also linked to QQI accreditation and to several minor awards at level 2, while it also can be integrated into the curriculum content of several modules at level 3.

22. Limerick City Traveller Health Project • Focused on preparing women from the Travelling community becoming Community Health Advocates. • 21 traveller women attended classes for between 6-8 hours per week over the two years. • Managed in partnership Paul Partnership, HSE, LCETB (BES) and Limerick Social Services Centre • As a result direct of this initiative, 15 of the original 21 women who participated are now employed as Traveller Health Advocates or Assistant Traveller Health Advocates.

23. Advocates visit their community with information on health topics. • Also deliver Cultural Awareness Training to service providers. • BES is still involved in the upskilling of the advocates in areas such as IT, presentation skills, PowerPoint and confidence-building.

24. Limerick City Traveller Health Project Certificate Achieved Number of Participants • Full Award General Learning 11 • 3 or more level 3 modules 2 • Level 2 Mathematics 1 • Level 3 Work Experience 17 • Level 2 Listening & Speaking 6 • Level 2 Non Verbal Communications 6 • Level 2 Using Technology 2 • Level 2 Reading and Writing 2

25. DEIS Family Learning Project • Part of a broader family learning initiative devised to engage parents in Family Literacy opportunities. • The initiative involved three phases all of which focused on the running of a community family learning event

26. DEIS Family Learning Project

27. DEIS Family Learning Project

28. Thank you for listening Go Raibh Maith Agat!