Literacy Awareness Training
What is literacy awareness?
Literacy awareness is about ensuring that your organisation is aware of the size and range of issues related to adult literacy. It is not just about being informed but also being prepared for the challenges which low literacy levels present. In short, it is about equipping management and staff to respond effectively to people who have literacy difficulties.
Why be aware of literacy issues?
There are many good reasons why you should be aware of literacy issues. These include:
- it will be easier to identify and support people with poor literacy skills;
- there will be better understanding of the considerable problems of living with literacy difficulties;
- communications with adults who have literacy difficulties will be improved;
- customers and staff with literacy difficulties will be more effectively served;
- it will foster greater sensitivity towards adults with literacy difficulties;
- you will be in a position to assess policies and programmes in relation to literacy; and
- higher levels of literacy skill are linked to better health and self-esteem.
The impact of improved literacy
Literacy awareness is the first step towards supporting those with literacy difficulties. This is particularly important in the light of the dramatic changes in the labour market. Our economic success has led to increasing numbers in full and part-time employment. In the course of on-going training employers are discovering that many of their employees have difficulty with basic literacy.
How to improve literacy awareness
Many organisations have already recognised the importance of literacy awareness and have participated in one-day literacy awareness workshops organised by NALA. These workshops give staff and management an understanding of the causes and effects of literacy difficulties and help to identify how best they can respond. Organisations that have undertaken literacy awareness training include:
- Aer Lingus;
- the ESB;
- Local Authorities;
- Government Departments;
- FÁS;
- the Public Library Service; and
- Teagasc.
Get our Literacy Awareness Pack
Click here to download our free Literacy Awareness Pack
More information
For more information contact Margaret Maher, by email at mmaher@nala.ie or by phone at 00 353 (0)1 850 9114.
