How do we write? Copy this sentence using the hand that you don’t usually use 1.What impression would other people get from seeing your piece of writing? 2.How would you feel if you had to fill in a form or write a report and your writing was of this standard?

How do we read?

How do we use numbers? Alphabetland The new number names are: A, B, C, D... Answer the questions on the sheet

Easy Maths A + C = D x B = Find J% of T A/B of F= What are the factors of L? Find the square root of Y Try to do these exercises without using your fingers - however you can use your fingers if you find it difficult

National Statistics The Moser Report published in 1998 looked at what needed to be done to improve adult literacy and numeracy 20% of adults roughly 7 million people have skills below what is classed as “functional literacy” and “functional numeracy” This is a bigger proportion than any other European country save Poland and Ireland That is one in five adults unable to find the page for plumbers in the yellow pages

Skills for Life The government’s response to these findings was the Skills for Life agenda which has been underway for the past 5 years. From 2001 – 2003 there have been over 550,000 achievements towards the national target of 750,000 by 2004 The next target is 1.5 million achievements by 2007

Skills for Life The Skills for Life agenda has produced: new standards new curricula new national tests new qualifications for teachers and a national promotional campaign to boost demand

National Qualification Framework

The Core Curricula

Curricula Looking at the standards for reading Examples of E1 language experience – Pg 56 Examples of integrated activities – Pg 78 Level 2 reading critically – Pg 93 National Tests You can take a national test at L1 or L2 in English or maths. Level 2 is at the same level as GCSE A-C Try some example questions yourselves at L2

Who provides Skills for Life in Leeds? In small groups, see how many organisations you can identify who provide basic skills for adults. Can you identify the providers in your area? Also see if you can identify the priority groups for basic skills

Basic Skills Provision in Leeds Further Education Colleges Adult, Community and Family Learning Voluntary Organisations Training Organisations Job Centre Plus provision Learndirect Bail hostel / Prison Education

Priority Groups Jobseekers Adults receiving benefits People living in disadvantaged communities Low skilled workers Government Employees Prisoners and those on probation Drug users Parents

Social Implications Likelihood of a lower income or unemployment Links with ill health Social exclusion Depression Poor achievement of children

Why do people have basic skills issues? Undiagnosed visual/hearing impairment Undiagnosed dyslexia Sickness/absence from school Unsettled home, or family problems Poor teaching Intergenerational effect English as an additional language new working practices and technologies demand new skills skills were adequate but promotion demands new skills

The Importance of Libraries The Vital Link is a groundbreaking reader development and adult basic skills initiative run by a partnership between The Reading Agency, The National Literacy Trust The National Reading Campaign The aim was to use energetic reader development work in libraries to inspire, support and motivate emergent adult readers and recruit and retain new ‘hard to reach’ learners

The Vital Link Within the research for the vital link it was noted that the adult literacy curriculum does not directly deal with reading for pleasure One basic skills tutor was quoted as saying: “Books have no place in this course; it’s about learning to read”

Main Aims of Vital Link To develop a major partnership programme To inspire, support and motivate emergent adult readers To establish links between library service and basic education sector To identify the unique contribution libraries’ reader development work can make To provide a range of support strategies and materials collections

First Choice Books A central focus of Vital Link was to develop a range of titles suitable for basic skills learners The underpinning stock selection criteria were developed by librarians and basic skills tutors and the books were chosen through consultation with learners There are 40 core titles broken down into four categories: Love and Sex, Health and Family, Crime and Mystery, Fun and Laughter

“First Choice, More Choice, Your Choice”

Over to You In small groups try to identify ways in which the libraries can: Support adult learners Make the service more accessible Arrange for class visits Facilitate emerging readers

Ideas for supporting adult learners Develop projects or run courses in partnership with local providers Run activities to tie in with national events such as adult learners week and family learners week ‘Make a book’ and ‘storysack’ projects Provide introductory tours of the library, information on visiting and borrowing, or themed events around books

Ideas for making the service more accessible Offer a simplified library joining pack Offer support when joining eg an alternative area for people to join away from the ‘public’ counter Draw user’s attention to additional services: audio books, CDs, videos, internet access, enquiry express ect Use clear plain language when developing brochures / publicity material

Ideas for visiting basic skills classes Try to arrange a first visit when the library is closed to the public Consider using the process of joining the library as a class exercise Introduce students to librarians Include a library trail or quiz Introduce the idea of talking about books by discussing covers, titles or subject matter Encourage students to choose a book to borrow, but stress that they don’t have to read it all if they are not enjoying it

Facilitating emerging readers Be aware of the First Choice range Get to know your local providers Know where to signpost people for classes Get involved as a learning promoter, mentor, volunteer tutor Train as an Adult Learner Supporter (Level 2)

Feedback Please share any comments / ideas you may have had that relate to Skills for Life and libraries Please fill in your Evaluation Form Thanks for coming!!!