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| Literacy is ……
Literacy is enriching and empowering learners to achieve
their own goals in meaningful personal, social, cultural,
vocational and learning contexts. Literacy learning
can take many different forms: reading, writing, speaking,
listening, critical thinking, problem solving, numeracy
skills and communication technology. It leads the learner
to greater confidence, self-esteem, and participation.
Adult Literacy ......
- has a 'no barriers to learning' philosophy
- wants learners to build on their existing knowledge
- promotes life long learning
- helps learners whose initial learning was unsuccessful
- supports learners move from tuition into new courses,
new work opportunities and/or involvement in the community
Central Otago REAP has tutors who work with learners
to improve their literacy skills and accompany them
on their journey to new learning and future pathways.
REAP's tutors are qualified, and undertake ongoing professional
development. They aim to work from a best practice model,
keeping up-to-date with research data and national guidelines.
1:1 tuition: The process ......
- The learner makes the decision to get help to improve
their skills.
- Contacts Central Otago REAP, Phone (03) 4486115
or 0800 267 327.
- Attends an initial meeting, which includes setting
goals related to their individual needs.
- Attends tuition at Central Otago REAP once or twice
weekly for one hour. Times are chosen to suit learner
and tutor but preferably during working hours. Time
frames are established at beginning of tutoring, then
reassessed during tutoring.
- Has a break from tutoring and takes some time to
integrate new skills into everyday life.
- Can return to continue working on the same skills
Workplace Literacy:
Businesses and workplaces all around the country are
experiencing ongoing literacy issues with their employees.
The skills and expertise required in the workforce today
are very different than they were 20 years ago. Common
concerns in today's workplaces are poor levels of communication,
loss of productivity, accidents and poor customer service.
These can be symptoms of low workplace literacy. Staff
may not have the literacy and numeracy skills they need
to operate effectively and efficiently in the workplace,
especially if there is new technology. The OECD defines
literacy as 'the ability to understand and employ printed
information in daily activities, at home, at work and
in the community, to achieve one's goals and to develop
one's knowledge and potential. (OECD, 1997: 14). Central
Otago REAP is committed to working with businesses,
employers, ITO's, community organisations and individuals
to provide a literacy service that effectively addresses
these goals. |
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| Literacy-based Programmes offered at Central
Otago REAP |
1. One-one Literacy Tuition
2. One-to-one Computer
Tuition
3. 'Not Just Words' Programme:
'Not Just Words' is an activity-based Literacy Programme
designed to offer learning, fun, friendship and support
in a small-group setting. It runs for 20 weeks, a total
of 120 hours, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout
Terms 2 and 3. Each session is from 9.30 am till 12
noon.
Learner outcomes:
By the end of this programme participants will be able
to:
- Extend reading and writing vocabulary
- Practise grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Improve fluency in writing
- Complete an oral presentation
- Participate in a group project
- Demonstrate social and communication skills
Learners are encouraged to set their own goals, work
at their own pace and enjoy a range of new opportunities.
4. Monday Night Study Class:
For apprentices and anyone studying, a quiet
place to work is available every Monday night from 7-9
pm at Central Otago REAP.
5. Conversation English:
For learners with English as their second language.
A relaxed two-hour session held weekly as required at
Central Otago REAP. |
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| Strategic Plan for Literacy 2006-2010:
Central Otago REAP is working to a Strategic Plan for
Literacy to ensure the best outcomes for learners and
tutors. The aims are to:
- maintain quality procedures for literacy learners
- continue to promote literacy and numeracy
- increase the number of adult learners accessing
literacy and numeracy support
- maintain professional development opportunities
for literacy tutors
- continue to build a bank of library resources
- seek funding from the TEC for literacy and numeracy
programmes
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Wanaka
Literacy-based courses are being run by the Lake Wanaka
Language Centre in partnership with Central Otago REAP.
Tutor Sharon Beattie has worked in adult education and
literacy education for 10 years, as a home tutor and in
various community and tertiary learning institutions and
is happy to be delivering the courses here. She says "the
courses are about people setting their own goals, selecting
their own materials and working at their own pace. We
understand that people might have negative feelings about
or experiences of education but we aim to provide a welcoming,
non-threatening learning environment. Group size will
be very small, and there will be plenty of one-to-one
time. We will be working with materials and skills which
are relevant and useful". Anyone interested or wanting
to talk about any of these issues should contact the Lake
Wanaka Language Centre on 443 2375, email info@wanaka-english.ac.nz
or call into the centre on the corner of Plantation Road
and Beaumont Street, Wanaka.
In Alexandra the first 20-week 'Not Just Words' course
has finished, where tutors Markelle Ward, Pip Pedofsky
and Helen Williamson teamed up in Alexandra to deliver
a comprehensive language-based programme. Joyce Whitehead
continues as Central Otago REAP's Literacy contact and
tutor in Roxburgh. The following comments from learners
sum up the focus of the programmes: learning, sharing,
and stimulation for the brain!
"my goal is to be able to teach my daughter things
about reading and writing"
"I have learned lots, not just english skills but
other things like socialising, and sharing together"
"I am happy with what I am learning, and I enjoy
being in a class with others"
"I have enjoyed being an adult learner because
there is no pressure like when you're a kid, and there's
more freedom to do things"
"I have learned a lot about different cultures,
as well as english, maths, computers, speeches and designing
a meal"
"I would describe this course as learning together,
stimulation for your brain, and its never too late to
start something"
"I enjoy not only study but also meeting people
and exchanging ideas, cultures and experiences"
"I have enjoyed knowing that I am not the only
adult learner"
"It reminds me about things that I had forgotten
from school. It is good to be with others who want to
learn. I have had help with everyday things"
If you are interested or know of someone anywhere in
the region who would benefit from a literacy-based programme,
please do not hesitate to contact Central Otago REAP,
Phone (03) 4486115 or 0800 267 327. |
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| Pip Pedofsky
Pip has been a literacy tutor at REAP for the past
four years. Pip is a practising Speech-Language Therapist.
She holds a Teachers Certificate and Diploma in Primary
Teaching and Speech-Language Therapy.
Helen Williamson
Helen has been a Literacy tutor at REAP for the past
four years. Helen has a BA degree and is currently undertaking
the National Certificate in Adult Literacy Education.
'Not Just Words' class getting to know some of the
International students at Dunstan High School, September
2007. Markelle Ward, tutor, centre front.
Sharon Beattie - Wanaka
Sharon has worked in adult education for over 12 years.
She worked as a home tutor for the Adult Reading and
Learning Association then began training as a teacher
of English as a second language. Sharon now runs the
Lake Wanaka Language Centre. She has an MA in Applied
Linguistics.
Learner Profile: Blair Denniston
Blair Denniston - 'The Guy That Shines'
Blair Denniston, Builder's Apprentice of Alexandra,
is "one of the guys that shines". So says
Kelvin Nixon, Health and Safety Officer and Coordinator
for Apprentices at Breen's Construction, Alexandra.
Blair has been attending 1:1 tuition at Central Otago
REAP for support with the huge task of working through
the unit standards and practical assessments required
to complete his apprenticeship. Together with his tutor,
Pip Pedofsky, Blair has been able to break his study
down into chunks, get a fresh perspective on the questions,
and ensure close monitoring of his progress with a coordinator
at work.
Blair's consistent attendance and positive approach
has helped make a real difference. He is progressing
through the different parts of the theory, and the recording
of practical work is much more manageable. Pip is impressed
with Blair's commitment, particularly with study following
after a long day at work. Kelvin Nixon is also impressed,
saying "I notice at work his attitude to being
an apprentice has changed. It's remarkable, he's the
first one to put his hand up. He's the one that has
taken it upon himself to go and get support, and he's
the one getting the reward. We at Breen's are delighted
with that." For Blair's part, he is appreciative
of the time taken by his tutor and Central Otago REAP
to help him. "Personally I think that if someone
thinks they need help they should look to institutions
like REAP because the benefits are enormous."
Breen Construction: a proactive employer
Breen Construction is an example of a proactive employer,
prepared to put systems in place to help their staff
achieve qualifications which will benefit them throughout
their lives.
Lindsay Breen of Breen Construction is delighted with
Blair's progress and says he is a role model for younger
apprentices, who may need to seek assistance to move
more quickly through their apprenticeship. Breen's have
recently appointed Kelvin Nixon to the role of Coordinator
for Apprentices. The company currently has 16 apprentices
and having Kelvin there to assist them is "helping
our people."
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