Australia’s adult literacy crisis
For rugby union star Ian Roberts learning to read and write at age 36 was lifechanging. But for many adults who struggle with low literacy getting the help they need is not so straightforward.
Stories
Nautilus offers fresh start
Nautilus College an alternative high school in NSW is offering a fresh approach for young people disengaged from mainstream education, turning tales of truancy into stories of achievement and turning lives around.
COVID learnings
COVID19 has forced adult education organisations offering face to face classes to develop new ways of continuing to offer their services. Three organisations share what they learned from the COVID lockdown.
Headstones from the heart
A course in making headstones is inspiring local Indigenous people to craft personalised tributes to their loved ones. The course offers opportunities not just to learn new skills, but to engage in a process of healing.
The perfect pitch
A mentorship helped Chris Lombardo overcome her fear of public speaking and persuade an audience of philanthropists to fund her projects. She is one of 340 not for profit leaders that The Funding Network has connected with investors.
Leading in adult literacy
Victoria’s Learn Locals are crucial in improving adult literacy skills. But teaching literacy is a specialist skill and that there is a shortage of teachers equipped to do the job. A new training program aims to change that.
Community paper thrives
When the local newspaper office closed its doors in Guyra NSW in 2016, the town’s adult education centre set up a new paper. The Guyra Gazette has proved a hit. And producing it has been a learning experience for everyone involved.
Learning to give back
Loran McKean lacked confidence about her ability to study, but after completing a horticulture course she’s found a new outlook on life and is grateful to give back to the community that welcomed her.
Language is a lifechanger
Ghazal Sharhani was depressed and isolated after she arrived in Australia. But taking English classes opened the door to new friendshiips and now Ghazal dreams of a successful future and a career in pathology.
There’s no stopping Chris
When Chris Roland attended her first class at TAFE SA in 2019 after almost 30 years away from a classroom it was part of a promise she made to herself. It was also the next crucial step in her recovery from domestic violence.
Facebook for English
English language teacher Shveta Bhutani uses a closed Facebook group with her adult students to practise English, build friendships and cultural understanding. And it’s a strategy that’s paying off in face to face classes.
Lockdown learning
Before the coronavirus pandemic Annie Heyes called herself an IT dinosaur. But the lockdown forced her and other members of Wynyard U3A to use digital technology in ways they would never have imagined.
Digital at the depot
A digital literacy training program at the City of Sydney run by NSW TAFE is ensuring that outdoor employees like Glen Freeney can successfully make the transition from manual paper based systems to electronic paperless ones.
Learning on the job
The WA government is trying to stem the flow of young people away from rural and regional towns by offering local learning opportunities that give them the skills to stay and work in their communities.
Singing for sweet freedom
It’s a decade since the Choir of Hard Knocks won our hearts with the uplifting story of how music can turn lives around. Sweet Freedom Singers, a choir of people from all walks of life, and of different abilities, continue the tradition.