Marie is a childminder. She can read and write, but her spelling is weak and she never got the hang of decimals. Now that her own children are getting older, she finds it difficult to help them with their homework.
Recently, one of the teachers suggested she might like to join a family learning group at the school.
Marie decided to give it a go. The sessions included an explanation of some aspect of the children's work, and a chance to watch a bit of teaching.
There were activities for the parents to try out with their families, and the last part of every session included opportunities for them to brush up their skills. This part was led by a tutor from the local further education college. After a few weeks, the tutor discussed the possibility of taking a basic skills qualification for any parent who wanted to.
Marie says, 'I was nervous, but the tutor encouraged me to take a mock test to see how I got on. There were a few things I didn't get right, but I am practising these now in the family learning group. I think I'll take the real test at the end. If I can get it, my children will be so proud of me.'
Adult Learners Week
Many people leave school with few qualifications, and later, find they would like to get a second chance. Are you one of them? Maybe you have to pass a basic literacy or numeracy exam to move up the career ladder? Perhaps you need to get to grips with computers to be effective in your job? Or maybe you just want to be able to keep up with your own children?
There are lots of people like this, but for some, the thought of going back to education is daunting. Further education colleges have basic skills departments (now usually called Skills for Life) that will make you feel welcome, respect your status as an adult, and agree an individual learning plan to meet your needs. At the end of your course, you may be able to take a national qualification in numeracy, literacy and IT.
Adult Learners Week, from 21-27 May, will promote adult study with a wide-ranging national campaign. Promotional posters will be displayed at supermarkets, libraries and community centres, with details of local college courses. If you can't find a course that's right for you, ring the college anyway - they may have some helpful suggestions.
Basic skills courses are free. Some can offer creche facilities. Sometimes courses are held in schools or community venues (like Marie's), and these may be more convenient for you.
Colleges are getting better and better at providing for those with learning needs or physical disabilities. Access for the disabled, computers with specialist software, support staff for learners with dyslexia, signers for the deaf, and help for students whose first language is not English - all these are widely available.
If you are thinking about applying for a job or additional qualifications such as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, you may be asked for a qualification in literacy and/or numeracy. This is how the basic skills qualifications compare with other exams (see table).
It is difficult to do the administrative tasks in any type of employment now without computer skills. If you joined a basic skills IT class, you could learn about creating and managing computer files and the basics of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, inserting graphics and using e-mail.
You don't have to have a computer at home. All colleges are equipped with banks of computers in their learning resources areas (or libraries), and as a college student you will be allowed to use them at any time the place is open.
In an adult literacy class, you learn skills for understanding the kind of written material you come across in everyday life - forms, newspaper reports and letters. You study the basics of sentence structure, punctuation and spelling. In a numeracy class, you learn to deal with adding, subtracting, multiplication and division, simple fractions and decimals, measuring, and working with straightforward graphs. The course materials make use of real-life examples.
If you can't do maths, you are not alone! In 1999, Sir Claus Moser reported that seven million adults in England could not read or write above the level of an 11-year-old, and even more had trouble with numbers.
So although you might feel self-conscious if you find maths difficult, on a numeracy course you will find plenty of people just like you, and a tutor who will be very sympathetic to your problems.
Here are the skills you will learn on a level 1 course:
* the four operations of adding, subtracting, multiplication and division
* working out measurements, including area and volume
* reading off a scale
* understanding basic fractions and simple decimal notation
* reading straightforward charts, including bar graphs and pie charts
* calculating averages
* knowing what simple percentages represent.
All of these skills are practised in everyday contexts, so that they really mean something to you.
The exam papers have 40 questions, all with multiple-choice answers. The questions are grouped together with four or five questions around different scenarios. Examples might be about redecorating a room, organising a party, or planning a trip. You are given some basic information, then asked perhaps to add up costs, work out a timetable, or calculate some distances.
For each question you are given four possible answers. Only one is right, of course - you just have to work out which one it is, and tick the right box. But you are allowed to jot down your calculations on the paper.
What level am I?
When you apply, an experienced tutor will help you choose a course that's at the right level for you. For those who are not ready for level 1 or 2, there are entry level courses in which you can expect a lot of individual attention.
You can also get some idea for yourself by logging on to the website www.move-on.org.uk. Then click on Test Your Skills, where you can try out a mini-test for literacy or numeracy.
When your tutor thinks you are ready, he or she will put you in for your basic skills qualification at the appropriate level. You'll probably have the choice of doing the test on paper or on the computer - and there is no limit to the number of times you can re-sit if necessary.
So if you're nervous, screw up your courage and take that first step back into education. It could open up a new future for you. NW
Further information
More information about Adult Learners' Week is available at www.alw.org.uk
