Be in with a Issue 6

Winter 2010
www.nala.ie
chance to win:

Literacy
• A €50 voucher for Easons
(first prize)
• One of two runner up prizes
for a €20 Easons Voucher
Just complete this short survey
(remembering to include your contact

Matters
details) and return it to:
Claire O’Riordan
NALA, Sandford Lodge Renew your NALA membership and get
Sandford Close, Ranelagh
Dublin 6 others to join to!
by 16 December 2010.
Did you know being a member of NALA entitles you to 50% off
Winners will be notified the next day!
our conferences and events, 25% off our publications and 10% off
Literacy Matters Irish publications in our resource room? We also have an offer for
How many of our six Literacy Matters new members joining in groups of 10. Usually, each person pays
have you read?
€25 to join but if you join with nine others, each person only pays
Just this one? (tick for yes) €15, a saving of €10 each. Can you think of anyone who may wish
Write in the number or give estimate
to join NALA?
If you usually read a hard copy of Literacy Keeping you up to date with literacy
Matters, please estimate how many people
read the same copy?
We appreciate you showing your support for adult literacy in news in Ireland and informing you of
Ireland by being a member of NALA. If you can think of anyone
Write in the number or give estimate
who may wish to join, ring our freephone 1800 20 20 86 or log
the work NALA is doing
 ow much of the magazine do you read?
H onto www.nala.ie
(tick the correct box)
None Two or three items
Around half Most of it
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)
All

Which articles or parts of this edition of

Literacy Matters did you find most useful
The National Adult Literacy Agency is an independent
membership organisation, committed to making sure people with
In this issue
or interesting? (Name the article/s)
literacy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to
learning opportunities that meet their needs.

Which articles in this edition were of least

interest or use to you? (Name the article/s)

New online initiative aims International Literacy

40% of us can’t
to break down barriers to Day: a huge success
do maths!
education
Do you discuss Literacy Matters articles Page 4
with others? Yes No Page 6 Page 12

 o you use Literacy Matters articles or

D
resources in any of the following areas

Plus lots more inside

(tick as many as apply).

Initial tutor training

Continuous professional development National Adult Literacy Agency
Sandford Lodge,
Your studies
Sandford Close, For more information about becoming a member
I do not use Literacy Ranelagh, Dublin 6 of NALA call our freephone 1800 20 20 65 or log
Matters for teaching or study
onto www.nala.ie
Other, please specify: Tel: ++ 353 1 4127900
web: www.nala.ie
 Making Literacy Matters better

Contents Simply Put:

ISSN 2009-3667
What if anything, would you like to see more
of in Literacy Matters? Please list up
to three things.

when plain English 1.

Welcome 3
Dates for your diary 3
Breaking down barriers to education: a new initiative 4
40% of us can’t do maths! 6
New TV literacy campaign 9
Literacy learners take adult literacy to the European Parliament 10
International Literacy Day: a huge success 12
Student card: making life easier 15
Champion student campaigners 16
works best
Is it possible that that you are losing
customers because of corporate jargon
and gobbledygook?
In the current economic climate businesses face
particular challenges in ensuring that the public
can fully understand their services. One step in
the right direction is to use plain English.
www.simplyput.ie is a new website designed by
the National Adult Literacy Agency to help you to
communicate in plain English. It contains lots of easy
writing and design tips that you can use to make
your information easier to understand. It also offers
editing support, training and a Plain English Mark for
documents that meet international standards.
Plain English can help you become more efficient
because clearer information is more likely to
save time, money and possible frustration
that might otherwise be involved in clarifying
misunderstandings.
2.
3.
 hat if anything, would you like to see
W
less of in Literacy Matters? Please list up
Plain English seminar to three things.
To celebrate the 2010 European Year for Combating
1.
Poverty and Social Exclusion, NALA recently held a
seminar to encourage organisations to use plain English. 2.
As its focus is on everyday language, plain English is
a style of presenting information that helps someone 3.
understand it the first time they read or hear it.
Would you be interested in an online-only
Literacy Matters?
The seminar was oversubscribed within a week
of invitations being issued and in the end over 70 Yes No
representatives from the public, health and NGO sector
attended. The event included a talk about the literacy
issue in Ireland and contributions from Michael Power,
Tell us a little about yourself
(tick the correct box)
NALA Chairperson and testimonials of using plain
English at work from Helen Cullen, Communications Are you :
Unit, Office for the Director of Public Prosecutions A member of the public
and Tony Kavanagh, OneGov. Following the seminar,
participants took part in plain English writing workshops. An adult literacy student
An adult literacy tutor
An adult literacy organiser
Other, please specify:

Social Networking and adult literacy 18

Log on to www.simplyput.ie
The Gift of Dyslexia 20 E-zine
Do you get our e-zine? Yes No
Working for students: the NALA Student Sub-Committee 22 If yes, What do you think of it?

Simply Put: when plain English works best 23

In our next edition …

If no, would you like to? Yes No

Fill in the following details if you would like

We hope you enjoyed this edition of Literacy Matters. to be entered into the prize draw
In our next edition we will have articles on: Name:
Address:
Tutors networking Email:

Phone
NALA: Looking back, planning forward number:

Please add any further comments you have

Champion student Barney Whelan, Head of
campaigners Communications, An Post at
International Literacy Day
Page 16
Page 12
Students’ views on health, family, accreditation and more… about A) Literacy Matters and B) our e-zine
Brigid McManus, Secretary here:
General, Department of
Would you like to see anything else in the next edition? A)
Education and Skills at
If so, please ring Claire O’Riordan on 01 412 7922 before 31 January 2011
International Literacy Day
Page 14 B)

You can also email your answers / suggestions

to coriordan@nala.ie by 16 December 2010.

Thank you for taking the time to

complete this survey. Hope you win!
2 Literacy Matters Literacy Matters
23
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our winter edition of Literacy
Matters. I am writing this from our new offices in
Ranelagh, Dublin 6. A big thank you to those of you
who submitted articles for this edition. I hope you
will enjoy it.
New developments for NALA this autumn were our
distance learning programme at FETAC Level 3 (pages
4 and 5), our research on maths (pages 6-8) and our
An Post TV ads (page 9). It was also a time to reflect
on how far we have come (read about International
Literacy Day 2010 on pages 12-14).
In this edition, we have some very interesting
articles on students. I encourage you to read our
leading student story by Bridie Daly who gives us an
inspirational account of her and other students recent
presentation to the European Parliament (pages 10-11).
‘Champion student campaigners’ is the title of another
powerful piece about students promoting adult literacy
development to an audience of over 180,000 people at
this year’s Ploughing Championships (pages 16-17). We
also have another great article which describes how a
student supported by the South Tipperary VEC Adult
Literacy Service is making life a little bit easier for other
students (page 15). Finally, we have engaging pieces on
social networking and its value to students and others
(pages 18-19), and an article on our very own Student
Sub-Committee (page 22).
Dates for your diary
Tutors
29 January 2011
Your National Tutors Forum 2011 will be 29 January.
The theme will be ‘Using technology in adult literacy’.
Members
AGM
NALA Annual General Meeting, March. Date to be
confirmed. We will be launching our Strategic Plan
2011-2013 at this meeting.
Students
19 February and 2 April 2011
Your Student Development Days 2011 will be Saturday
19 February (Dublin) and 2 April (Cork). There may be a
third date. We will keep you posted.
Fancy an early Christmas present?
You can win prizes just by sharing your views with us.
Go to the back of this edition and find out more!
As always we are delighted to receive articles for
Literacy Matters. Email me, Claire, at coriordan@nala.ie
by 31 January 2011 with your article or review.
Remember too to fill in the dates below into your 2011
diaries and renew your membership with us!
On behalf of NALA, I would like thank you for your
support over 2010 and wish you and yours a very
happy Christmas.
Claire O’Riordan
Communications Officer
Tel: 01 412 7922
Email: coriordan@nala.ie
Adult Literacy Organisers
14 / 15 April 2011
Your Adult Literacy Organiser’s Forum 2011 will be
on 14 and 15 April (Galway).
Tutors and students
23 June 2011
On Thursday 23 June 2011 the National Adult Literacy
Agency (NALA) and the Institute of Technology Tallaght
(IT T) are organising an adult numeracy showcase
to share innovative numeracy teaching and learning
projects. An exhibition of numeracy projects will take
place in the IT T from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. If you would
like to apply to exhibit, please email fdolan@nala.ie
by 1st December 2010.
Literacy Matters
3
 Breaking down barriers to
education: a new initiative
Distance education programme brings learning into the home for free
Details of a new distance education course, aimed at unemployed people with few or no
qualifications was launched this Autumn by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). Through
online and telephone tutor support, this innovative course brings education to the individual and
allows them to gain a national qualification in the privacy of their own home. It’s completely free and
perfect for anyone who left school early or would like to get a qualification. The aim of the course
is to break down barriers to education, such as time, travel and expense, so that anyone without a
basic qualification can access further education.

“If you left school a long time ago or without getting
good marks, talk of up-skilling and the smart economy
can seem very far removed from your life. In fact,
research shows that the less education you got, the less
likely you are to avail of further education or training
as you probably had a negative experience first time
around. That’s why this course is so great – we set you
up with a tutor who will help you over the phone or
online. They ring you so there are no hidden costs,”
said Inez Bailey, Director, NALA.
No time or travel pressures
“Equally, there is none of the usual time or travel
pressures – you can learn at your own pace at home
through subjects in which you are interested. It’s also
confidential and when you are finished, you get a
nationally recognised FETAC qualification at Level 3
which is often the minimum requirement to access
other education and training courses. A further bonus
when you are finished is that if are getting job seeker’s
allowance for more than 3 months, you will receive €100
euro,” she said.
“There are many barriers to people returning to learning,
such as the fear of not being able to keep up with a class,
falling behind or a previous bad experience of education.
This course is different. There are no pressures and it’s
completely confidential. All you have to do is call us for
free on 1800 20 20 65 or free text ‘LEARN’ to 50050 for
more information – one of our operators will explain how
the course works and all the options available to you. If
you choose to do the course, we will set you up with a
tutor who will get you started and help you choose your
subjects and level. It’s that simple!” said Denise McBride,
Adult Education and Guidance Co-ordinator, NALA.
This programme is supported by the Department
of Education and Skills through the Labour Market
Activation Fund and the European Social Fund.

NALA’s distance education programme offers

accreditation in a number of subjects, including
communications, maths, computers, internet, career
preparation and health and safety. It is aimed at anyone
who left education without a formal qualification such as
Junior Cert or anyone who would like to improve their
basic skills or learn new ones. Participants can take as
long as they want to do the course. NALA specifically
developed the course so that it recognises and builds
on participants’ existing knowledge and supports new
learning. For example, a participant who is good a
maths will receive accreditation for that subject after an
initial assessment. However if they are weak at maths
they will be assisted to learn this subject.

4 Literacy Matters

Is this course for me?
This course is for you if you don’t
have a formal qualification (such
as Junior Cert) and would like to
get one, or if you would just like to
improve your skills.
You can learn at your own pace at
home. We will set you up with a tutor
who will help you over the phone.
There are lots of subjects to choose
from, for example:
• Communications
• Mathematics
• Application of Number
• Functional Mathematics
• Personal Effectiveness
• Personal and Interpersonal Skills
• Computer Literacy
• Internet Skills
• Digital Media
• Career Preparation
• Health and Safety Awareness
It’s completely free and confidential.
When you finish, you get a
nationally recognised FETAC Level 3
qualification – a great stepping stone
to further education and training.
Home page of
www.writeon.ie
Using computers
*If you are getting job seeker’s
allowance for more than 3 months,
you may receive €100 euro!
How do I find out more?
Freephone us on 1800 20 20 65
or Free Text ‘Learn’ to 50050 for
more information.
If you choose to do a course, we will
set you up with a tutor who will help
you choose your subjects and level.
It’s that simple!
Literacy Matters
5
 40% of us can’t do maths!
Research announced at the launch of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week in September,
showed that 40% of Irish people have difficulty with everyday maths calculations. The research was
conducted by NALA and asked 1,000 adults two maths questions taken from the primary school
curriculum1 and four basic calculations that people would be required to do on a daily basis.2 40%
of participants got half or all of the questions wrong.

Inez Bailey, NALA Director and

Jackie Finney, star of RTÉ’s ‘Stuck for Words’

While men perform slightly better than women,
education level emerged as the strongest factor
determining correct responses among the public. The
research showed that those who leave education early
are most likely to struggle with numeracy, and those who
complete third level are most at ease.
Maths – an essential life skill
According to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs3
(EGFSN), mathematical competence is an essential life
skill required by all adults for participating in a modern
society and recommend that a national approach
is required to improve the level of mathematical
achievement. This includes support for parents who
have a key role to play in encouraging their children’s
engagement in maths education. This role, however,
can be limited by the fact that many parents do not feel
proficient in the maths curriculum.
They advise that the mathematical knowledge of adults
in the workplace is addressed. Mathematical proficiency
is not limited to only high skilled jobs. Workers in low
and medium skilled level jobs also require basic maths,
for example, the ability of retail workers to function
effectively when engaged in tasks involving numbers.
They also recommend that the need for improved
mathematics proficiency should be promoted along with
other key generic skills such as knowledge of ICT and
communications skills. This could be achieved through
an ongoing communication campaign.
Endnotes
1 P
 rimary level maths questions are taken from 2006 Primary
Mathemathics Test, Education Research Centre, St Patrick’s
College, Dublin 9.
2 Questions taken from 2003 Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALL)
Survey. This international comparative study was designed
to provide participating countries, with information about the
skills of their adult populations. ALL measured the literacy and
numeracy skills of a nationally representative sample from
each participating country.
3 EGFSN Statement on Raising National Mathematical Achievement

6 Literacy Matters
Why not test your maths – here’s the questions we asked

Task: Percentage calculation

How much does MP3 player cost including VAT at 21%?
Base: all adults aged 15+ (1010)

A
 n MP3 player costs €200 plus 21% value €242
added tax (VAT). What is the total cost of
the MP3 player?
Correct 56%

Incorrect
Incorrect 34%
answers given
221 (11%)
220 (6%)
Don’t know/no reply 9%
MP3 Player only €200 (exclusive of 21% VAT) 240 (3%)

Task: Area calculation of rectangular field

Base: all adults aged 15+ (1010)

W
 hich of the answers listed on this 300m2
card corresponds to the area of this
rectangular field?
Correct
20m wide 56%

15m high

Incorrect 24%
Incorrect
answers given
150m2 (10%)
a 35m2 c 150m2
Don’t know/no reply 20% 70m2 (7%)
b 70m2 d 300m2
35m2 (7%)

Task: Number of coke bottles in tray

(addition/multiplication)
Base: all adults aged 15+ (1010)

In total, how many bottles 48

are in the two full cases?

Correct 83%

Incorrect
answers given
36 (4%)
24 (3%)
Incorrect 16% 40 (2%)
Don’t know/no reply 1% 30 (1%)

Literacy Matters
7
 Task: Visual based calculation
How much petrol remains in tank?
Base: all adults aged 15+ (1010)

T
 he petrol tank in this car holds 48 litres. About 36
how many litres of petrol remain in the tank?
You can assume that the gas gauge is accurate.
‘Absolutely’
Correct 73%
correct: 67%

Incorrect
answers given
Incorrect 19% 32 (3%)
*Note: responses within +/-3 deemed to be correct. 40 (3%)
‘Absolutely correct’ reflects exact answer of 36. Don’t know/no reply 8% 35 (2%)

Task: Interpretation of graph

Base: all adults aged 15+ (1010)

A
 TV reporter showed this graph and said: No
“This graph shows that there has been a huge Correct
32%
increase in robberies from 1998 to1999.” Do
you consider the reporter’s statement to be a
reasonable interpretation of the graph?

Year
520 1999
Incorrect
515 53%
Year
510 1998
505
500 Don’t know
7%
495 The graph is confusing
7%

Task: Division
Which is better value?
Base: all adults aged 15+ (1010)

W
 hich do you think is better value Pack A
– pack A or pack B?

Correct 76%

3 pack €18.75

4 pack €27.80 Incorrect 17%

Don’t know/no reply 7%

8 Literacy Matters
New TV literacy campaign

An Post and NALA in partnership

At the start of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week, An Post in
An Post Chief Executive Donal
partnership with the National Adult Literacy Agency, launched a major
Connell said, “Literacy is a very
new TV advertising campaign to encourage more adults to improve
important issue for this country,
their numeracy and literacy skills. Developed and funded by An Post,
one which impinges on the
the advertisements profile three individuals who have overcome their
quality of life of our customers
problems with writing and maths. In the first two weeks they encouraged
and has the power to help
over 1,000 people to make contact with adult education services by
them fulfil their true potential.
ringing the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) freephone support line.
Equally, it is critical for the future
development and growth of our
Taking the first steps on any difficult journey requires courage and
society and our economy. An
commitment – and for those who have literacy or numeracy difficulties, the
Post is at the heart of Irish life,
stigma attached can prove daunting and discouraging. This campaign aims
commercially and socially and
to dispel this stigma by focusing on the benefits of returning to education.
we want to continue to play our
part, by providing long-term
Inez Bailey, Director, National Adult Literacy Agency, said, “We greatly
support in a meaningful context,
welcome An Post’s continued commitment to supporting people with
in conjunction with NALA”.
literacy and numeracy difficulties in Ireland and congratulate them on
producing this campaign. Many adults over the years have left school
The new TV campaign leads on from
early and have no qualifications. This can act as a barrier to accessing
An Post’s original, highly successful
other educational opportunities. As low skilled jobs become less
advertising campaign (2007 – 2009).
available, these people are now at the greatest risk of unemployment and
This resulted in thousands of
already form the largest group who are unemployed. Those with higher
people contacting NALA for help
education and training levels can adapt their skills for new and emerging
with reading and writing. The new
work. This is rarely an option for the very low skilled, who with fewer
campaign was launched by the
opportunities are forced into state dependency. We have no doubt that
Minister for Lifelong learning,
this campaign will encourage people throughout Ireland to take the first
Sean Haughey, T.D. in the National
step into education and ultimately change people’s lives,” she said.
Library of Ireland, Dublin.
‘This is a most appropriate theme given our current economic
situation and the widely acknowledged need for continuous
upskilling and reskilling.’

‘NALA has made a huge contribution to addressing many diverse

aspects of adult literacy, including family and workplace literacy,
the training of tutors, certification, referral, quality assurance,
the production of Radio and TV programmes, and in recent times,
the development of distance learning opportunities.’

‘NALA is at the forefront with their unwavering commitment to

literacy over the last thirty years and I look forward, as Minister,
to continuing my close partnership with this vibrant organisation
for the benefit of literacy learners throughout the country.’

Literacy Matters
9
 Literacy
learners
take adult
literacy to
the European
Parliament
By Bridie Daly
I was chosen to apply for a workshop which
was taking place in Belgium near Namur.
It was for one week so I went ahead and
applied for a place. I am delighted to say
that my application was accepted. I was
a little apprehensive about meeting new
people from different countries who spoke
We broke into groups but we came back together for
different languages. lunch and dinner. We shared our experience of what it
was like for us at school.
Getting started
Tuesday we talked about respect for others and sharing
On Sunday evening we arrived to a great welcome from
our experience so it would help other people. We
everyone and had a lovely meal even though it was late.
discussed lifelong learning and the opportunity to work
with different languages, to share ideas and opinions.
Monday morning, the first day, all the participants
introduced themselves to each other and also showed
Planning sessions
where they came from on the map. Learners came from
Wednesday morning we started working on the
eight different countries, most from Central Europe.
questions we were going to ask at the European
Parliament. First each person came up with ideas for the
There were four facilitators who translated in many
kind of questions based on some of the work we had
different languages for the duration of the programme.
already done on Tuesday.
This made it easier for everyone.
That afternoon we travelled to Brussels to meet the
In our group we had brainstorming sessions every
members of the European Parliament. We were all
morning and we did a role play of Little Red Riding
in high spirits. Finally, we arrived at the parliament.
Hood. It helped us work better together. We first heard
It was a very impressive building. I am proud to say
the story in Italian. Then in language groups we tried to
that I was there.
tell the story using labels representing the story we had
heard. Each group presented in his or her own language
The Members of Parliament we met were:
a part of the study they thought they understood. It
• Doris Pack
was very difficult at first but everyone was asked to
• Marc Tarabella
participate. It was very interesting.
• Malika Benarab Attou
• Isabelle Durant.
We also put any of our written work on the walls around
the room. We drew pictures and symbols for our country.
I drew the Irish flag.

10 Literacy Matters
Issues we raised
1 More funding to be invested in adult education –
the group felt that people with literacy difficulties
become a better part of society and can access better
“Saturday everyone wished
job opportunities so that money that is invested in
adult education is good for everyone.
each other well and a safe
2 More tuition time for learners to improve their skills.
journey home. A lot of
3 The right of every adult to education and sometimes
the participants were very
to a second chance.
emotional on that day. I think it
4 The need for more groups to advise and help the
adults to over their fears.
was because we all come from
5 The need to encourage bosses to play a greater role
similar backgrounds and each
at work, and special help or people with dyslexia.
of us knows how important
These were just some of the issues we raised.
We were very well received by the parliamentarians
getting education is to us. We
on our visit. The introduction was all about how the
parliament worked and was a bit too long. Then the
want to make sure that others
Members of Parliament introduced themselves to us.
enjoy the same rewards.”
There were four parliamentarians. They listened to all we
had to say and took questions. Some of them listened
more than others. We hope that the present Members of We all gathered together on Thursday evening for a
Parliament will think and collaborate on our objectives. presentation by the participants. There were so many
We hope that we successfully transmitted our message. amazing stories from a wide range of people. For
I am now going to lobby the Irish members of the example, some people know that they have got that
European Parliament. It was a great day for everyone. second chance and have become ambassadors for their
country. Others are writing books about the history of
After the visit was over we had time for shopping and a their community or fictional short stories. Others have set
tour of the capital of Brussels, which is a very historic city. up teaching programmes at work for co-workers. All the
We also had a lovely meal in a restaurant. Everyone had participants are doing something to help other learners.
a very enjoyable day.
Friday completed the week and we drew maps of our
Learning journeys learning journey in pictures and how far we all had come.
Thursday we discussed how the visit to the European The work we have done is now written up and put into
Parliament went. We exchanged our points of view a report. We also heard about the volcano and that we
on the day spent in Brussels. To solve problems, might not be able to fly home on Saturday.
to exchange ideas and for others to have a better
understanding of adult literacy, to make the future Friday evening the organisers of the project took us on
brighter for adults so they can achieve their dreams. a walking tour of Namur. It is a beautiful town and has a
lot of history attached to it. I will never forget the time I
spent there and the experience I gained.

Saturday everyone wished each other well and a safe

journey home. A lot of the participants were very
“There were four parliamentarians. emotional on that day. I think it was because we all come
from similar backgrounds and each of us knows how
They listened to all we had to important getting education is to us. We want to make
sure that others enjoy the same rewards.
say and took questions. Some
The flights were still grounded and we had to stay in
of them listened more than Brussels for another few days and thanks to everyone
who looked after us. They were great and tried to get us
others. We hope that the present home as soon as possible.

Member of Parliament will It was a long journey home but it was a great experience
and I would be more confident of travelling abroad in
think and collaborate on our the future.

objectives … It was a great day

for everyone.”

Literacy Matters
11
 International Literacy
Day: a huge success
International Literacy Day 2010 was a huge success with people involved in adult literacy provision
in Ireland and other key stakeholders in the education and training sector travelling great distances
to attend the event.

Morning session
The morning session was dedicated
to raising awareness of the role of
adult basic education interventions
in the current downturn. Brigid
McManus, Secretary General,
Department of Education and
Skills started the session with an
informative presentation outlining
developments in the education
and training sector in Ireland with
particular emphasis on policy and
adult literacy.

Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive,

National Institute of Adult
Continuing Education (NIACE) gave
an overview of developments in the
UK. He explained that the issue of
basic skills was recognised in the
1970s and has been the subject of
a substantial national strategy for
the last decade. His presentation
highlighted the achievements of:
• identifying national standards;
• sharpening the curriculum;
• training tutors;
• creating national qualifications;
and,
• reaching large numbers of people.
John Martin, OECD
However he also noted that adults
with the lowest level of skill have
benefited least.
Travelling from his headquarters in
France, John Martin, OECD Director
for Employment, Labour and Social
Affairs provided an overview of
the main labour market trends in
OECD countries during the recent
recession. His insightful presentation
included details on which labour
force groups have been hardest hit
Bernie McKevitt, Adult Literacy
Organiser, Co. Meath VEC
by rising unemployment and drew
attention to the risk of persistent
long-term unemployment. He also
charted the labour market and social
policy responses of OECD countries
to the jobs crisis and some key
challenges, with a particular focus
on Ireland.
Barney Whelan, Director of
Communications, An Post was
last to present that morning and
once again proved very popular.

Irene Schwab, Institute of Kevin O’Duffy, Barney Whelan, Head of

Education, University of London Adult Literacy Student Communications, An Post

12 Literacy Matters
 Pip Kings, Development
Officer, NRDC
He discussed the thinking behind
An Post’s decision to develop and
fund a new TV advertising campaign
this September which he showed at
the event.
Afternoon session
The afternoon was dedicated to
providing information on new
teaching methods and practices for
the adult literacy sector.
Pip Kings, Development Director,
National Research and Development
Centre for adult literacy, language
and numeracy (NRDC) got the
ball rolling by discussing findings
from her recent publication, ‘Why
leadership matters: Putting basic
skills at the heart of adult learning’.
This was followed by Irene Schwab
from the Institute of Education,
University of London who offered
guidance on how to work with adult
learners to develop their literacy
skills and practices, drawing on
their own resources and skills.
Joan O’Hagan, Numeracy freelance
worker got everyone thinking
with her fun presentation on
Mandy Kennedy, Adult
Literacy Student,
Anne Lootjens, Belgium and
Michael Power, NALA Chair
what makes numeracy meaningful
to adults, while Tom O’Mara,
NALA’s Distance Learning Co-
ordinator outlined the example
of the NALA Distance Learning
Services, which provides accredited
learning and a process of RPL
(Recognition of Prior Learning) for
adults to follow at their own pace
and preferred location.  Minister Haughey congratulated
International Literacy Day finished
on a high with a very interesting
and entertaining picture history of
Seán Haughey, Minister for
Lifelong Learning
Joan O’Hagan, Numeracy
freelancer worker
NALA 1980 – 2010 given by Inez
Bailey. Kathleen Bennett gave an
overview of the TV series ‘Written
Off’ and the impact it had on
peoples’ lives. She was followed
by students Vincent Gaffney, Bridie
Daly and Kevin O’Duffy sharing very
moving experiences of their lives
and reading some of their own work.
everybody on the day. The day
ended to the sound of drums and
the taste of our delicious 30th
birthday cake!
NALA Staff. Left to
right: Eilis Mernagh,
Gráinne Fitzpatrick,
Clodagh McCarthy,
Helen Ryan,
Fawzia McGlone,
Clare McNally,
Sandra Peel and
Fergus Dolan.
Literacy Matters
13
 Excerpt from Brigid McManus’ speech
at International Literacy Day
As you all know this is a very difficult time for our country.
We are faced with very significant economic, financial and
budgetary problems. This challenges the Department of
Education and Skills and the education and training sector as
a whole, like other public services, to play our part in
contributing to Irelands economic recovery. We must ensure
that at all levels of education – primary, second level, further
and higher education, adult education and in our training
progammes – that we are supporting all our students in
developing the skills and competences that will allow them
to participate fully in our society and that support the
development of a strong economy and society in Ireland. Fiscal
adjustments are essential for our economic recovery requiring Brigid McManus, Secretary
General, Department of
all of us in the education sector to contribute to recovery by Education and Skills
providing more effective services with less resources at a time
of growing demand due to demographic and other factors.

Change, challenge, choice

We must ensure that at all
levels of education – primary,
second level, further and higher
education, adult education and
in our training progammes –
that we are supporting all our
students in developing the
skills and competences that will
allow them to participate fully
in our society and that support
the development of a strong
economy and society in Ireland.
Anticipating the specific skills that will best support
employment and economic growth even over a few
years is challenging. Anticipating it over the working
lifetime of any individual is well nigh impossible. A
globalised economy changes quickly and without
warning. Technology develops and the needs of our
communities and society change too. While we need to
anticipate and provide for the specific skills we know are
needed to support existing and potential employment
it is essential that we have a workforce with skills that
support lifelong learning and adaptability. The skills
we need are those generic skills that enable people to
deal with challenges that spring up without warning: the
core skills that enable people to exercise judgment or
to think laterally; and the key competencies that enable
innovation and creativity.
To deliver on those needs we require a system that
is robust and flexible, based on quality data and
information and that takes accounts of the needs of
all our society’s cohorts.In effect we need to give our
people skills for life. And those skills will enable people
to make their own choices about what they want to do
with their lives.

The Department is committed to working with providers

– the VECs – and with civil society, voluntary and other
organisations – like NALA and AONTAS – in partnership
towards driving the development of a robust, flexible
and high quality further education and training system
that gives everyone, but in particular the low skilled, the
disadvantaged and the hard-to-reach, opportunities
to make the most of themselves and contribute to our
country’s social and economic development.

14 Literacy Matters
Student card: making life easier
by Sian Moloughney
A small, discrete information card, which hopefully will help make life a little bit easier for
people with literacy difficulties, was launched by the South Tipperary VEC Adult Learning Scheme,
to coincide with National Adult Literacy Awareness week.
Adult Literacy Students in local VEC services are
always working to make a difference and make life
easier for themselves and other people with
literacy difficulties. They have come up with great
ideas. The following example of a Student Identity
Card is one such idea. It was also recently launched
by Co. Cavan VEC Adult Learning Centre and is
an option for all students in Donegal since the
mid 2000s.
The idea
The wallet-sized card was the idea of one of South
Tipperary’s own adult learners, who told ‘The Nationalist’
that he had the bright idea when he thought about
difficulties he has had in the past and what might have
made certain situations a little less stressful.
Adults with literacy difficulties often find situations where
they must fill in questionnaires or forms, very stressful.
With this in mind, adult learner Frank came up with the
idea of a small card that can be shown to (for example)
a bank teller or someone in the tax office and it will alert
them that the person needs some help in a sensitive,
discrete way.
Spreading the word
Mary Roche, Adult Literacy Organiser in South Tipperary,
wrote to banks, the Credit Union, County Council offices,
South Tipperary General Hospital, the Library, the Garda
station and other offices in Clonmel that deal with the
public. The letter and an illustrated poster alerted them to
the launch of the card, and asked staff to provide assistance “is to walk in the door that first time, but when you do
to people with reading and writing tasks, if asked.
Adult learners who were involved with Frank in the
development of the card have also penned their own
letter, asking for goodwill towards it. In their letter the
students say they have produced this card “to assist
people that have literacy difficulties, to access services.
The person (your customer) may produce the card when
they require help with reading or writing tasks. We would
hope that your staff would deal with the cardholder in a
confidential, sensitive and discreet manner.”
“The idea for the card came into my head because I had
such a problem down through my life with literacy,” Frank The card is being rolled out in the Clonmel area at first
explained. Now a grandfather, Frank has been with adult
literacy tutors for the last five years and says he doesn’t
need the card himself now but he knows only too well that
there are times in daily life when someone with literacy
difficulties could do with a little understanding and help.
“I want to make it easy for the people that are coming
behind me that have the same problems. I know how
hard it is for people who have literacy problems as
regards work and going in to the bank, social welfare
office, and dentist or anyplace where there is a form to fill
up. They are going to have the same problems I’ve gone
through, so I came up with the idea of the card to make
it easier for them, so they won’t be embarrassed and to
give them some confidence.”
Frank urges office managers and counter staff, who may
see the card being used, to consider how they would feel
if it was a member of their own family who was asking
for help. “Think of how they would be feeling coming
in because those people are so nervous, even afraid
someone behind them in the queue might overhear them
asking for help. They don’t want to ask for help, that is
why the card is very plain and can be handed over like a
credit card”, he said.
“I didn’t get the idea until I started coming here to the
centre, found how good the centre was to me and how
much I learned,” Frank added. He said he worked on
the idea with his classmates at the centre, his tutors and
with Mary Roche. “I’m very proud to see it going out to
businesses. I never would have thought before I came
here that I would be involved in anything like this.” Frank
hopes that the card will eventually be used nationwide.
The story of a life
“This card is not just a card – it’s the story of a life, to make
it easy for people.”
Frank is glad that he took the steps to contact the Adult
Literacy Service when he did. The hardest part, he said,
you will be welcomed with open arms. Everything is
confidential; you don’t have to worry about anybody.
They are down there to help you as much as they can,”
he said of the centre.
Frank attends a group class once a week, but there are also
one-to-one tutors. As Frank points out it is nothing like
being in school. There is a tea break and a chance to have
a bit of craic. He also learned how to use a computer. He
told ‘The Nationalist’ that he is very thankful for everything
the centre in Clonmel has done for him, and expressed his
thanks to everyone who helped in the creation of the card.
and it is hoped to extend it to all South Tipperary in the
coming months.
For more information, contact:
Mary Roche
Adult Literacy Organiser
South Tipperary VEC Adult Learning Scheme
Tel 052 612 7543
Email mroche@tippsouthvec.ie
Literacy Matters
15
 Champion student
campaigners
182,000 people, 800 exhibitors and nine adult
literacy students
Nine adult literacy students from all around the country participated in a huge awareness campaign
at the National Ploughing Championship in September in Athy, Co. Kildare. Alison Hickey,
Breda Kavanagh, Frank Locke, Kevin O’Duffy, Mandy Kennedy, Martina Lawlor, Michael Power,
Olive Phelan and Peggy Murphy staffed the NALA stand at the Championships.

‘An eye-opener’
Michael Power, chair of NALA, described the three-day
Championships as a fantastic awareness raising event.
It was a ‘great opportunity going out and meeting
people and explaining what we do. It was all about the
awareness and encouraging people and how returning
to learning has changed our lives.’ Olive described the
event as ‘an eye-opener in terms of the amount of people
you could come in contact with to promote adult literacy’.
It was hard work staffing the NALA stand. Students got
up at 6.am. They put tremendous energy into promoting
adult literacy and NALA. Breda said, ‘I got so much help
myself, I wanted to give something back’. Kevin also
said it was a ‘very rewarding experience to be able to
help people with similar difficulties and put them in the
right direction’. Peggy said ‘being students we could get
through to people. I felt that people put their confidence
in us’.
Lots of interest
The students said that people attending the
Championships were immediately interested when they
introduced themselves as adult literacy students. Some
also mentioned that they were on the NALA Student Sub-
Committee. The students stopped everybody who went
by their stand and engaged them in conversation. The
NALA stickers and pens featuring the NALA freephone
were a great way to break the ice. Almost everyone
the students spoke to knew somebody with a literacy
difficulty and some people said they had a literacy
difficulty themselves. There were also quite a few retired
people who wanted to become adult literacy tutors.
As in other years the biggest question from the public
was, ‘Was it hard to go back?’. The students spoke to
hundreds of members of the public, particularly young
people and people with dyslexia. When one young boy
heard that the people at the stand were all adult literacy
students he said, ‘Well done, fair play to ye.’
Malachy Mangan from Farm TV, a TV network targeted
exclusively at farmers, did a free interview with Michael
and Kevin about their experiences of being adult literacy
students. The interview was broadcast nine times on
the biggest screen in Ireland, right in the middle of the
Championships. Malachy said that the interview had
a ‘real impact and that people came to us to enquire
afterwards and find out where the NALA stand was. We
directed people. One guy in particular we sent down was
going for himself’.
Expert campaigners
The students were expert campaigners for adult literacy.
They even dressed up with mohican Jedward wigs to
attract the attention of the younger people among the
182,000 championship goers! Other exhibitors said they
were impressed with the image, energy and imagination
of the students staffing the stand. The NALA stand was
one of the liveliest stands in the hall with ‘crowds around

16 Literacy Matters
it’. Regina Dunne, Education and Training Adviser
staffing the nearby National College of Ireland stand,
said that the students on our stand were ‘real people,
tackling real problems in an approachable and fun
way… They were very pro-active in getting people to
their stand and were able to show people what the stuff
[materials] was and where it was relevant’.
As in other years, there was great interest in NALA’s
materials. Exhibitors such as the Citizen’s Information
Bureau took some of the materials and put them on
their stand.
The students also strongly promoted the work of the
VEC adult literacy services, handing out maps with their
locations and contact details. Referrals were also made
to the nearby VEC stand.
The students agreed that the co-operation and co-
ordination of the stand was fantastic. As Frank put
it, ‘Everyone of us did our bit – from going down
meeting everyone in the hotel the night before the
Championships, making sure everything was alright and
doing our work’. Mandy said, ‘It took courage to go
away with nine strangers and staff the stand... and while
we were up to our throats in muck, we were there for a
purpose, to promote NALA and adult literacy.’
Some initial impact of students’
awareness work
• A woman who met Michael last year came back to say
she was starting a literacy course in two weeks time.
• Another girl spoke to Kevin about her Dad and his
literacy difficulties. Her Dad did not want to meet or
talk to anyone about them. He came back with his
daughter and is now planning to contact his local VEC
adult literacy service in the next few weeks.
• A school teacher and her son came to the stand.
The boy was having difficulty at school. One of the
students explained the effect not doing homework
had on him and advised the boy ‘not to fall into the
same situation’.
• One man of 50 said he was too old to go back to
learning. Peggy said she was 60 when she started back.
She felt that helped him and hopes he will return.
• A lady approached Martina but didn’t want to take any
of the materials as the carrier bag was see-through.
She was ashamed of her literacy difficulties. She did
however take the telephone number of her local VEC
Adult Literacy Service.
• Four tutors from Limerick also dropped by. One of
them has a radio slot and she promised to promote
the NALA freephone number 1800 20 20 65 and
www.writeon.ie
• A number of school and college students were
interested in doing studies on adult literacy.
Next steps
Students want their experiences of awareness
raising at the Championships to inspire other
students. They suggested this article be
featured in Literacy Matters and put on our
website. They are already thinking how they
can make next year’s event even better.
Literacy Matters
17
 Social Networking
and adult literacy
Social networking is a new way of communicating. It is about using technology to be in touch with
people on the web for personal and work reasons. It is for everybody from kids to grandparents,
for people who want to use it for work and for people who are at home full time. It is great for
people who find it hard to move around or get out to meet others.

Social networking represents a big change in Social networking and adult literacy:
the ways we: a) for students
• talk and relate to each other, Social networking sites give students the opportunity to
• do our work and read and write in an authentic, real-world situation. They
• learn. also support self-directed learning.

It is both an opportunity and a challenge for people There are very few, if any, social network sites specifically
with literacy difficulties and for people working in adult for use by adults with literacy difficulties. NALA’s website:
literacy. Many even find it fun! www.writeon.ie however applies some of the principles
of social networking such as:
Although social networking happens anytime we
communicate with others online, we tend to think of • forums,
particular web sites. Some of the more common social • uploading photos and
networking providers in Ireland are: • internal email systems.

• Facebook In Germany there is a site like Facebook for use by

• Twitter
• My Space
• Bebo
• Ning
• Linkedin
But what is social networking? And what
does or might it mean for adult literacy?
Social networking websites allow users to be part
of a virtual community, that is a collection of people
connected through the Internet.
Two of the currently most popular sites are Facebook
and MySpace. These websites provide users with simple
tools to create a profile with text and pictures. A typical
profile includes basic information about the user, at
least one photo, and possibly a blog or other comments
published by the user.
After creating a profile, users can:
• add friends,
• send messages to other users, and
• leave comments directly on friends’ profiles.
students with literacy difficulties. On this site, AlphaVZ,
students can practice social networking. Despite some
merits to this system, perhaps a better option is to
customise existing social network sites for adult learners.
An adult literacy educator could for example get their
students to log onto Ning and share their views with
each other. It might also be worth exploring the use of
bespoke social networks. These can be set up around
particular communities, such as adults with literacy
difficulties. Heartsounds.ning.com is an example of a
highly successful bespoke social network for people with
mental health problems.
Younger learners have grown up using technology
in many ways. They use online and mobile
communication in their everyday lives. This
creates expectations that any education system
should include online social interactions.

These features provide the building blocks for creating

online communities.

You are in control and can decide who sees anything

about you. Privacy settings allow you to decide how big
your network is and who is in your network.

Social networking sites allow users to share ideas,

activities, events, and interests within their individual
networks. They are a powerful resource and ever
increasing in popularity.

18 Literacy Matters
Many learners with literacy difficulties may feel unable
to participate as fully in the modern world as their
peers due to a lack of information and basic instruction
in the conventions of social networking. For older
learners, wishing to communicate with children may
have lead them to return to education. The use of social
networking allows parents to stay in more regular contact
with children living in far flung corners of the world.
And it’s free!
Vincent Gaffney, an adult literacy student described
Facebook as ‘great to keep in touch with people… I
send someone a message. They send me one and you
kick off from there!’. Vincent keeps in touch with lots of
friends including Rhonda Smyth, a tutor, now based in
America. Vincent was the first adult literacy student to
go on NALA’s Facebook page. He says ‘he is waiting for
others to go on it… [and] as soon as others come then
we can share opinions’.
If you would like to chat with Vincent and other students
click onto www.nala.ie and click facebook.
Organisations are increasingly using social networking
to promote their organisation or issue. An adult literacy
service that that has good content for example, on their
Facebook can invite people to get involved, share their
views and get them heard!
In the future
The potential contribution of social networking to adult
literacy development is not yet known but it likely to be
high. We need to be ready to grow with it. Whatever we
feel about the pros and cons of social networking, we
have to realise that it is part of society today.
Just as literacy practitioners once had to come to terms
with teaching people how to use ‘new’ technology such
as ATMs, mobile phones, computers and the Internet,
we need to engage with social networking as an exciting,
fun and powerful medium. Being able to network socially
means being able to participate more fully in society,
and that’s something we all want.

b) for adult literacy educators

Adult literacy educators want more experience and
training in using technology to connect better with
learners both within and outside the classroom. They
also want more and better teaching and learning
resources. Social networking can help fulfil these needs.

Just one very good example of a blog which makes it

easy to exchange information among adult educators
is the Adult Literacy Education blog by David J. Rosen
(http://davidjrosen.wordpress.com/). This blog gives
useful information on adult education and technology.
Why not try it out?
c) for organisations

Literacy Matters
19
 The Gift of Dyslexia: why some
of the smartest people can’t
read and how they can learn
by Ron Davis with Eldon Braun
Reviewed by Pam Buchanan

“I was hiding my problem behind success and work. But when

you retire, you don’t work. Very quickly I felt very bad...” Best-
selling American author of ‘The Gift of Dyslexia’, Ron Davis,
was speaking at Dublin City University on October 14th about
his severe dyslexia. His personal story is both remarkable and
tragic. Born with a form of autism he has no memory of his
life before the age of 9, during which time he also had no
speech. He emerged from his autism, but with huge learning
difficulties. Despite this, he later became a successful engineer,
surrounding himself with people who would do the reading
and writing tasks that he knew he could not do himself and
living in fear that his problem would be exposed.

Looking at words
When he was 38 years old, he discovered a way to ‘switch off’ his dyslexia;
“One day I couldn’t read a street sign. The next day I could read a whole
book.” Davis, who practices art and sculpture, realised that when he was
at his artistic best, he was also at his dyslexic worst. He explored that link
and found that his dyslexia was directly related to his ability to perceive
things from many different viewpoints. The very talent he had for viewing
objects in his mind from a variety of angles was the reason that he had
so much trouble reading the written word. Whenever he tried to read, “… he discovered
his mind would start to look at the words from many different angles.
When he discovered how to stop this from happening, he began to be
able to read.
a way to ‘switch
He was very excited about his discovery, and in 1982, with Dr. Fatima Ali, off’ his dyslexia”
Davis founded the Reading Research Council in California. His aim was to
research and develop new ways to help children and adults with dyslexia,
based on his own experience. His approach is outlined in his book ‘The
Gift of Dyslexia’, which has now been translated into 18 languages
worldwide. In it he gives step-by-step instructions for helping a person
with dyslexia to ‘switch off’ the root cause of their reading difficulty. That
root cause is what Davis calls ‘disorientation.’

He explains that it’s like the feeling you get when you’re in a parked
vehicle and the vehicle beside you is moving, but you feel as though
yours is the one that’s moving. “When you’re sitting in that car and that’s
happening” he says, “you’re as dyslexic as I am because your brain
isn’t seeing what your eyes see or hearing what your ears hear. That’s
disorientation.”

Disorientation happens to people with dyslexia when they try to read

a word that they don’t have a mental picture for.

20 Literacy Matters
Two types of thinking
According to Davis, there are two types of thinking; verbal and non-
verbal. Verbal thinking uses words or symbols while non-verbal thinking
uses pictures. Most people use both methods – switching from images
of objects (such as an elephant) to words (such as ‘of’ or ‘and’) as needed.
During the lecture he demonstrated this by asking the audience to think
of several objects, and then to think of the word ‘the’. Dyslexics, he
says, only think in pictures; so when they come across a word (like ‘the’)
that has no obvious picture for the mind to see, they try other ways to
read the word – like ‘sounding out’ or memorising. Symptoms such
as headaches, tiredness or feeling dizzy can result from trying hard
to concentrate on reading the ‘normal’ way. The more they focus and
concentrate the worse the symptoms become. Davis’ research shows
that a different approach is needed for people who think in picture form.
First they need to stop the disorientation that makes them feel bad.
“Fortunately, it’s easy to stop the disorientation – a student can learn to
switch it off with just a few hours’ practice” says Davis, citing the 97%
“When writing
success rate he has witnessed using his method.
this book, I
Once the student is ‘oriented’, it is then possible to find the words that
trigger the disorientation. There are 217 words in the English language
that have no obvious picture. The words that cause the most confusion
visualised a
for dyslexics are common words, such as ‘it’ or ‘from’. Because these
words lead to disorientation, they are called trigger words and most mother of a
dyslexics have further trigger words of their own. Most also have their
own upper and lower case letters, punctuation and speech sounds that
trigger the disorientation.
nine year old
Pictures to trigger words child, with the
Having switched off the disorientation, the dyslexia is addressed by
creating pictures to attach to the problem words and symbols. To stop
the confusion some dyslexics feel about individual letters, the student
book on her lap,
makes each symbol or letter with clay. That way they have a solid mental
image of the letter and how it is created. To address the trigger words the following the
student must also link each one to a picture or image that they choose
based on their understanding of the word. Once those triggers have
been addressed, the dyslexia has been addressed; and the person can
instructions. Does
read successfully.
age make any
In answer to questions from the audience, Davis explained that there
are trained facilitators of the Davis Method in forty nations, including
Ireland. However, he wrote ‘The Gift of Dyslexia’ as a manual for parents
difference? No.
or facilitators to use with dyslexic students. “When writing this book, I
visualised a mother of a nine year old child, with the book on her lap, We’ve worked
following the instructions. Does age make any difference? No. We’ve
worked successfully with people in their nineties” he said.
successfully with
For more information on the Davis Method,
visit www.davisdyslexia.com people in their
nineties”

Literacy Matters
21
 Working for students: the
NALA Student Sub-Committee
The NALA Sub-Committee is central and vital to our
work. It was re-launched in January 2005 and since
then has been going from strength to strength. All
the student members over this time have been great
advocates for adult literacy.
Sub-Committee members typically meet four times
a year to discuss a variety of topical adult literacy
issues. They play a key role in planning, organising and
evaluating national student events and the Student
Development Fund as well as being available to NALA
Staff and outside agents for consultation.
What the Committee means to
student members
Being on the Student Sub-Committee is very important
for students as well. It is work but also lots of fun.
Organising national student events, processing
applications for the NALA Student Development Fund,
participating in awareness raising activities, assessing
the impact of NALA’s student work and much much
more make sure that adult literacy students are at the
heart of our work.

The Sub Committee

Currently, there are 12 active students on the
committee. Frances Ward, an Adult Literacy Organiser
‘The meetings are really
in Dublin represents the ALOA (Adult Literacy
Organiser’s Association). Frances and her predecessor
interesting, and everyone
Marion Cusack are assets to the effectiveness of the
Sub-Committee meetings. They share their views on
is friendly’.
issues discussed and relay back relevant information
to the ALOA and the IVEA which is the national
representative association for Ireland’s Vocational
Education Committees (VECs).
‘We all get on together
The committee has a good mix of students from rural
and support each other’.
and urban backgrounds who bring a wide range of
experiences to the meetings. Topics discussed are
brought to the Executive by student members, including
Michael Power who is himself a student and is at present
‘We can bring students’
chair of NALA. The sub-committee also brings its views to
the media advisory group which advises on our TV series.
experience into NALA’.

Sharing experiences
Another key part of the sub-committee’s work is to bring ‘We feel strongly about literacy,
the experiences of adult literacy students to a wider
audience. In fact some of the students are now media and want to help others the
veterans having notched up appearances on a variety of
television programmes and in national newspapers. way we were helped’.
Subcommittee members link back to their local VEC
adult literacy services and bring information with them.
They also encourage other students to go to NALA
and other student events, listen to their questions and
problems – and where there are common issues NALA
can take these up. One current committee member runs
a local student support group within their local VEC
adult literacy service.
Think you have
The next major events in the student calendar are
got what it takes
the two national student days to be held in Dublin on
Saturday 19 February and in Cork on Saturday 2 April.
to be on the NALA
The Sub-Committee are planning to make these days
the best yet.
Sub-committee?

Contact Claire at
coriordan@nala.ie
for further information

22 Literacy Matters
 Making Literacy Matters better

Contents Simply Put:

ISSN 2009-3667
What if anything, would you like to see more
of in Literacy Matters? Please list up
to three things.

when plain English 1.

Welcome 3
Dates for your diary 3
Breaking down barriers to education: a new initiative 4
40% of us can’t do maths! 6
New TV literacy campaign 9
Literacy learners take adult literacy to the European Parliament 10
International Literacy Day: a huge success 12
Student card: making life easier 15
Champion student campaigners 16
works best
Is it possible that that you are losing
customers because of corporate jargon
and gobbledygook?
In the current economic climate businesses face
particular challenges in ensuring that the public
can fully understand their services. One step in
the right direction is to use plain English.
www.simplyput.ie is a new website designed by
the National Adult Literacy Agency to help you to
communicate in plain English. It contains lots of easy
writing and design tips that you can use to make
your information easier to understand. It also offers
editing support, training and a Plain English Mark for
documents that meet international standards.
Plain English can help you become more efficient
because clearer information is more likely to
save time, money and possible frustration
that might otherwise be involved in clarifying
misunderstandings.
2.
3.
 hat if anything, would you like to see
W
less of in Literacy Matters? Please list up
Plain English seminar to three things.
To celebrate the 2010 European Year for Combating
1.
Poverty and Social Exclusion, NALA recently held a
seminar to encourage organisations to use plain English. 2.
As its focus is on everyday language, plain English is
a style of presenting information that helps someone 3.
understand it the first time they read or hear it.
Would you be interested in an online-only
Literacy Matters?
The seminar was oversubscribed within a week
of invitations being issued and in the end over 70 Yes No
representatives from the public, health and NGO sector
attended. The event included a talk about the literacy
issue in Ireland and contributions from Michael Power,
Tell us a little about yourself
(tick the correct box)
NALA Chairperson and testimonials of using plain
English at work from Helen Cullen, Communications Are you :
Unit, Office for the Director of Public Prosecutions A member of the public
and Tony Kavanagh, OneGov. Following the seminar,
participants took part in plain English writing workshops. An adult literacy student
An adult literacy tutor
An adult literacy organiser
Other, please specify:

Social Networking and adult literacy 18

Log on to www.simplyput.ie
The Gift of Dyslexia 20 E-zine
Do you get our e-zine? Yes No
Working for students: the NALA Student Sub-Committee 22 If yes, What do you think of it?

Simply Put: when plain English works best 23

In our next edition …

If no, would you like to? Yes No

Fill in the following details if you would like

We hope you enjoyed this edition of Literacy Matters. to be entered into the prize draw
In our next edition we will have articles on: Name:
Address:
Tutors networking Email:

Phone
NALA: Looking back, planning forward number:

Please add any further comments you have

Champion student Barney Whelan, Head of
campaigners Communications, An Post at
International Literacy Day
Page 16
Page 12
Students’ views on health, family, accreditation and more… about A) Literacy Matters and B) our e-zine
Brigid McManus, Secretary here:
General, Department of
Would you like to see anything else in the next edition? A)
Education and Skills at
If so, please ring Claire O’Riordan on 01 412 7922 before 31 January 2011
International Literacy Day
Page 14 B)

You can also email your answers / suggestions

to coriordan@nala.ie by 16 December 2010.

Thank you for taking the time to

complete this survey. Hope you win!
2 Literacy Matters Literacy Matters
23
Be in with a Issue 6
Winter 2010
www.nala.ie
chance to win:

Literacy
• A €50 voucher for Easons
(first prize)
• One of two runner up prizes
for a €20 Easons Voucher
Just complete this short survey
(remembering to include your contact

Matters
details) and return it to:
Claire O’Riordan
NALA, Sandford Lodge Renew your NALA membership and get
Sandford Close, Ranelagh
Dublin 6 others to join to!
by 16 December 2010.
Did you know being a member of NALA entitles you to 50% off
Winners will be notified the next day!
our conferences and events, 25% off our publications and 10% off
Literacy Matters Irish publications in our resource room? We also have an offer for
How many of our six Literacy Matters new members joining in groups of 10. Usually, each person pays
have you read?
€25 to join but if you join with nine others, each person only pays
Just this one? (tick for yes) €15, a saving of €10 each. Can you think of anyone who may wish
Write in the number or give estimate
to join NALA?
If you usually read a hard copy of Literacy Keeping you up to date with literacy
Matters, please estimate how many people
read the same copy?
We appreciate you showing your support for adult literacy in news in Ireland and informing you of
Ireland by being a member of NALA. If you can think of anyone
Write in the number or give estimate
who may wish to join, ring our freephone 1800 20 20 86 or log
the work NALA is doing
 ow much of the magazine do you read?
H onto www.nala.ie
(tick the correct box)
None Two or three items
Around half Most of it
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)
All

Which articles or parts of this edition of

Literacy Matters did you find most useful
The National Adult Literacy Agency is an independent
membership organisation, committed to making sure people with
In this issue
or interesting? (Name the article/s)
literacy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to
learning opportunities that meet their needs.

Which articles in this edition were of least

interest or use to you? (Name the article/s)

New online initiative aims International Literacy

40% of us can’t
to break down barriers to Day: a huge success
do maths!
education
Do you discuss Literacy Matters articles Page 4
with others? Yes No Page 6 Page 12

 o you use Literacy Matters articles or

D
resources in any of the following areas

Plus lots more inside

(tick as many as apply).

Initial tutor training

Continuous professional development National Adult Literacy Agency
Sandford Lodge,
Your studies
Sandford Close, For more information about becoming a member
I do not use Literacy Ranelagh, Dublin 6 of NALA call our freephone 1800 20 20 65 or log
Matters for teaching or study
onto www.nala.ie
Other, please specify: Tel: ++ 353 1 4127900
web: www.nala.ie
Be in with a Issue 6
Winter 2010
www.nala.ie
chance to win:

Literacy
• A €50 voucher for Easons
(first prize)
• One of two runner up prizes
for a €20 Easons Voucher
Just complete this short survey
(remembering to include your contact

Matters
details) and return it to:
Claire O’Riordan
NALA, Sandford Lodge Renew your NALA membership and get
Sandford Close, Ranelagh
Dublin 6 others to join to!
by 16 December 2010.
Did you know being a member of NALA entitles you to 50% off
Winners will be notified the next day!
our conferences and events, 25% off our publications and 10% off
Literacy Matters Irish publications in our resource room? We also have an offer for
How many of our six Literacy Matters new members joining in groups of 10. Usually, each person pays
have you read?
€25 to join but if you join with nine others, each person only pays
Just this one? (tick for yes) €15, a saving of €10 each. Can you think of anyone who may wish
Write in the number or give estimate
to join NALA?
If you usually read a hard copy of Literacy Keeping you up to date with literacy
Matters, please estimate how many people
read the same copy?
We appreciate you showing your support for adult literacy in news in Ireland and informing you of
Ireland by being a member of NALA. If you can think of anyone
Write in the number or give estimate
who may wish to join, ring our freephone 1800 20 20 86 or log
the work NALA is doing
 ow much of the magazine do you read?
H onto www.nala.ie
(tick the correct box)
None Two or three items
Around half Most of it
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)
All

Which articles or parts of this edition of

Literacy Matters did you find most useful
The National Adult Literacy Agency is an independent
membership organisation, committed to making sure people with
In this issue
or interesting? (Name the article/s)
literacy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to
learning opportunities that meet their needs.

Which articles in this edition were of least

interest or use to you? (Name the article/s)

New online initiative aims International Literacy

40% of us can’t
to break down barriers to Day: a huge success
do maths!
education
Do you discuss Literacy Matters articles Page 4
with others? Yes No Page 6 Page 12

 o you use Literacy Matters articles or

D
resources in any of the following areas

Plus lots more inside

(tick as many as apply).

Initial tutor training

Continuous professional development National Adult Literacy Agency
Sandford Lodge,
Your studies
Sandford Close, For more information about becoming a member
I do not use Literacy Ranelagh, Dublin 6 of NALA call our freephone 1800 20 20 65 or log
Matters for teaching or study
onto www.nala.ie
Other, please specify: Tel: ++ 353 1 4127900
web: www.nala.ie
 Making Literacy Matters better

Contents Simply Put:

ISSN 2009-3667
What if anything, would you like to see more
of in Literacy Matters? Please list up
to three things.

when plain English 1.

Welcome 3
Dates for your diary 3
Breaking down barriers to education: a new initiative 4
40% of us can’t do maths! 6
New TV literacy campaign 9
Literacy learners take adult literacy to the European Parliament 10
International Literacy Day: a huge success 12
Student card: making life easier 15
Champion student campaigners 16
works best
Is it possible that that you are losing
customers because of corporate jargon
and gobbledygook?
In the current economic climate businesses face
particular challenges in ensuring that the public
can fully understand their services. One step in
the right direction is to use plain English.
www.simplyput.ie is a new website designed by
the National Adult Literacy Agency to help you to
communicate in plain English. It contains lots of easy
writing and design tips that you can use to make
your information easier to understand. It also offers
editing support, training and a Plain English Mark for
documents that meet international standards.
Plain English can help you become more efficient
because clearer information is more likely to
save time, money and possible frustration
that might otherwise be involved in clarifying
misunderstandings.
2.
3.
 hat if anything, would you like to see
W
less of in Literacy Matters? Please list up
Plain English seminar to three things.
To celebrate the 2010 European Year for Combating
1.
Poverty and Social Exclusion, NALA recently held a
seminar to encourage organisations to use plain English. 2.
As its focus is on everyday language, plain English is
a style of presenting information that helps someone 3.
understand it the first time they read or hear it.
Would you be interested in an online-only
Literacy Matters?
The seminar was oversubscribed within a week
of invitations being issued and in the end over 70 Yes No
representatives from the public, health and NGO sector
attended. The event included a talk about the literacy
issue in Ireland and contributions from Michael Power,
Tell us a little about yourself
(tick the correct box)
NALA Chairperson and testimonials of using plain
English at work from Helen Cullen, Communications Are you :
Unit, Office for the Director of Public Prosecutions A member of the public
and Tony Kavanagh, OneGov. Following the seminar,
participants took part in plain English writing workshops. An adult literacy student
An adult literacy tutor
An adult literacy organiser
Other, please specify:

Social Networking and adult literacy 18

Log on to www.simplyput.ie
The Gift of Dyslexia 20 E-zine
Do you get our e-zine? Yes No
Working for students: the NALA Student Sub-Committee 22 If yes, What do you think of it?

Simply Put: when plain English works best 23

In our next edition …

If no, would you like to? Yes No

Fill in the following details if you would like

We hope you enjoyed this edition of Literacy Matters. to be entered into the prize draw
In our next edition we will have articles on: Name:
Address:
Tutors networking Email:

Phone
NALA: Looking back, planning forward number:

Please add any further comments you have

Champion student Barney Whelan, Head of
campaigners Communications, An Post at
International Literacy Day
Page 16
Page 12
Students’ views on health, family, accreditation and more… about A) Literacy Matters and B) our e-zine
Brigid McManus, Secretary here:
General, Department of
Would you like to see anything else in the next edition? A)
Education and Skills at
If so, please ring Claire O’Riordan on 01 412 7922 before 31 January 2011
International Literacy Day
Page 14 B)

You can also email your answers / suggestions

to coriordan@nala.ie by 16 December 2010.

Thank you for taking the time to

complete this survey. Hope you win!
2 Literacy Matters Literacy Matters
23