Frequently Asked Questions - General Queries
What is NALA?
The National Adult Literacy Agency or NALA for short is an independent membership organisation set up by volunteers. It has been the leading campaigning and lobbying force since it was set up in 1980.
Since 1980, we have been involved with training, policy making, national coordination, research and innovation. Our work now relates to:
- developing effective policies to tackle the issue of adult literacy difficulties and convincing policy makers and funders of the need for investment
- making it easier for adults with literacy difficulties to access learning opportunities that meet their needs.
- improving adult literacy teaching and learning through, for example, doing research on best ways of teaching adults to learn and tutors to teach, developing resources and so forth.
- making organisations more effective in dealing clearly and fairly with people with low literacy skills.
How is NALA organised?
We are guided by a 14-member Executive Committee, which serves for a two-year term and typically includes:
- learners
- tutors
- VEC Adult Literacy Organisers
though other people and organisations are also often represented.
The Executive makes decisions on our work and is there to ensure that we put our aims into practice. Our members elect the Executive at our Annual General Meeting. A Director manages our organisation's work and is supported by a staff of 17 people, made up of administrative staff, development workers and project co-ordinators.
How many adults have literacy difficulties in Ireland?
The most recent information available to us on this question indicates that about 25% of the Irish population, or at least 500,000 adults, had very low literacy skills. This meant that these people could only perform tasks that involved finding a simple piece of information in a short written piece, with no distracting information.
A further 30% have very low educational attainment. Therefore 55% of the adult population are below the minimum desirable threshold.
Source: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1997. Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society: Further results from the International Adult Literacy Survey. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
How is NALA funded?
Our main funding comes from the Department of Education and Science. As well as this, we work with a range of Government departments, state organisations, businesses who sometimes fund specific development projects. We are a registered limited company with charitable status.
What is literacy?
NALA defines literacy as listening and speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and using everyday technology to communicate and handle information. Literacy includes more than the technical skills of communication: it also has personal, social and economic dimensions. Literacy increases the opportunity for individuals and communities to reflect on their situation, explore new possibilities and initiate change.
What is a spiky profile?
It is important to note that if a person needs to develop confidence and skill in particular literacy practices, it does not mean that the individual has difficulties with all of the basics of reading, writing, verbal communication and number work. We all have things we are good at and other things we have to struggle with and it works in much the same way with basic skills.
People's skills tend to be 'spiky', which means that we can be very good at one thing but have a real difficulty with another, which can have an adverse affect on our overall performance.
How many paid tutors are there in the VEC Adult Literacy Service?
In 2008 there were about 1,500. This figure has not changed that much in the last few years. For example, in 2006 it was 1,424 and in 2007 it was 1,492.
How many voluntary tutors are there in the VEC Adult Literacy Service?
There are about 3,283 voluntary tutors in the Service. (2008 figures).
Will I have to do exams if I go back to study?
No. It is up to you whether you want to get qualifications or sit exams.
Are adult education classes only on during the daytime?
No. There are classes during the day and every evening.
I am worried that I won't be able to keep up with the other people in the class. Should I be?
Don't be worried. You can work at your own pace. Also, one-to-one classes are also available. You can talk to your local adult literacy organiser about this if you are still worried.
I don't want anyone to know that I am attending adult education classes. Is this likely?
That is no problem. Adult literacy classes are confidential. No one except you, your tutor and the adult literacy organiser need know about you attending classes. Remember also that nobody will know why you are going into the centre because there are lots of other interesting classes available there as well. You could be going to computer, art or even a dancing class!
Do I have to go to classes in the nearest Adult Literacy Centre?
No. You can join any service you like.
I am afriad to go back to education. What should I do?
Remember everyone is nervous at first when they are trying something new so you are not the only one. You will find that the staff at the centre are very kind and understanding and are happy to help you overcome any fears you might have. Remember too that over 50,000 Irish adults are getting help with their reading, writing and number work.
How can I find out more?
If you want to find out more just call our freephone support line on 1800 20 20 65 and you will be put in contact with the literacy service closest to you, or one nearby. It is that simple. All you have to do is make the first call.
If you have access to the internet you can also see more information on www.literacy.ie
How important are good literacy skills?
Literacy and numeracy skills are part of everyday life. Think of all the notices and signs around us, how we use money every day, use the internet and send text messages. Everywhere we go we are faced with text, numbers and technology.
Literacy has an important role for the individual, the worker, the family member and the citizen. Most people have some literacy and numeracy skills, but they can vary in different situations. For example, a person might have high levels of literacy in completing a form but low levels of literacy when figuring out the instructions for using the DVD player.
Those with significant literacy difficulties are likely to have difficulty carrying out day-to-day talks that involve literacy. These might include:
- writing a shopping list,
- reading a health and safety notice, or
- filling in a driving licence application form.
NALA's view is that while literacy is clearly linked to economic development and employment, it must not be limited to issues of economics. Literacy is deeply connected with the rights of individuals and communities: it is about their right to have a voice in society; to continue and extend their education; to read and to be read.
What is Government doing?
In Learning for Life, the 2000 White Paper on Adult Education, the Department of Education and Science placed adult literacy as its top priority and set out the National Adult Literacy Programme. This was a plan to improve literacy levels among the adult population in Ireland. It was the first such plan in Ireland and provided a guide for action in developing adult literacy up to 2006.
In 2007, there was a target set in the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion to reduce the proportion of the population with a significant literacy difficulty from 25% between 20% and 15%.
In terms of the qualifications and the workplace, the National Skills Strategy (Tomorrows Skills, Forfas, 2007) identifies that 539,500 people, some 30% of the workforce, have Level 3 (Junior Certificate) qualifications or less (with an estimated 10% having no qualifications). The strategy identifies the need to reduce this figure to 7% (180,000) workers by 2020 to maintain Ireland's competitiveness and progress towards a knowledge economy.
The Government plans to participate in the next International Adult Literacy Survey, PIAAC. The survey findings will be published in 2013.
How is adult literacy financed in Ireland?
National Development Plans
The National Development Plan 2000-2006, provided €93.7 million to the National Adult Literacy Programme in line with its commitment to provide full and diverse education and training opportunities, particularly for those who are socially disadvantaged.
The National Development Plan 2007-2016 has committed €2.2 billion for the further education sub-programme with priorities on addressing low literacy levels in the adult population and the large number who have not completed upper secondary.
It also made commitments to reduce the numbers of children with serious literacy difficulties in primary schools in disadvantaged areas by half, from 30% to 15%.
The Department of Education and Science
The Department of Education and Science funds the bulk of the further education sector through the 33 Vocational Education Committees through out the country.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment funds workplace basic education programmes.
