Adult Literacy and Basic Education Service
This free and confidential service is available at our eight centres around the county. It is open to anyone over 16, who is no longer at school, wishing to improve reading, writing, spelling, number skills or learn a little about computers. Our students come from all walks of life. We can help if you missed out on education in your early years; just want to brush up on your basic skills; want some qualifications or want to move on but don't feel confident enough yet.
The Organisers will be only too happy to help find the best classes for anyone interested in using the service. All of our courses are 'tailor made' and are aimed at taking the fear out of returning to education. We pride ourselves in having a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in our centres.
You can choose between One to One and Small Group Tuition.
One to One Tuition is where a voluntary tutor offers help with reading, writing, spelling, number skills, form filling, letter writing etc. The student and tutor usually meet once a week. Confidence building and personal development are also built into the process.
The tutors come from a wide range of backgrounds and receive full training to enable them to meet the needs of their students.
Small Group Tuition offers a range of courses. The basic courses cover reading, writing, spelling and number skills. They all start at the beginning and go at the students' pace.
We also offer courses on other topics including personal development; learning the basics about computers and the world of IT and family learning, where parents improve their own skills so that they are better able to help their children to get off to a good start at home and in school.
Some courses are available in Irish at our centre in An Daingean depending on demand.
At the next level there are those courses which can lead to a FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council) qualification. We offer a wide range of subjects and best of all there are not exams! Students build a folder of work over a period of time and this is presented for assessment. Modules available are listed below.
If you think you or somebody you know would like to join us, just pick up the phone and take that first step. You will receive a warm welcome. Here is just what some of our students think about their time with us:
"Since doing the communications course I have learnt to communicate more with other people and it has helped me improve my writing skills" Tina, Cahersiveen
"I think other adults would enjoy the courses because the tutors are very friendly and helpful." Mary, Tralee
"The courses are pressure free, everyone works at their own pace, and every student gives valuable support to each other." Tim, Tralee
"I would highly recommend anyone to go back to education through this system, as there are no failures only successes!" Gerald, Kenmare
"If you are interested in doing the courses the tutors will help you and before you know it you will have successfully finished the course." Mary, Tralee
Other Programmes offered by the Service
Tutor Training
Initial Tutor Training. We have a full training programme for members of the public who wish to become Volunteer Tutors with the service.
In-Service Training: We offer a range of In-Service courses for tutors who are active within the service.
Literacy Awareness Training
The Adult Literacy & Basic Education Service offers Literacy Awareness Training to companies and other organisations. This training raises the awareness of possible literacy difficulities when dealing with the general public and offers advice on how to deal with this problem.
Family Learning Programme
This programme consists of a range of courses that offer parents the opportunity to enhace their own skills and foster a love of learning in their children.
ITABE - Intensive Tuition in Adult Basic Education. There are 14 week courses where participants receive intensive tuition for six hours per week. The aim is to give them a springboard from which to make further progress.
ESOL
English Language courses are offered to unemployed clients referred by FAS, the Department of Social & Family Affairs or the Local Employment Service as being not work ready and in need of basic functional English.
Programmes Provided in Partnership with Other Organisations
The Return to Education Programme. Funded by FAS, this programme offers CE Scheme participants the opportunity to attend a co-ordinated series of adult basic education classes as part of their training.
FÁS Skills for Work Programme. It is aimed at "upskilling" the workforce of participating companies. The employees are released to attend classes during their working hours.
Return to Learning Programme. This programme is run in conjunction with Kerry County Council and, again, provides classes during working hours with a view to "upskilling" members of their workforce.
Who to contact:
Organiser |
Centre |
Telephone Number |
Aoife McCormack |
Tralee Adult Literacy & Basic Education Centre |
066 7124114 |
|
|
Adult Education Centre |
066 9473166 |
Bill McConnell |
An Mainistir |
066 9150933 |
Maggie O'Sullivan Graham |
Adult Education Centre |
064 6642728 |
Mary Concannon |
Adult Education Centre |
064 6636990 |
Jenny O'Reilly |
Adult Education Centre |
066 9790765 |
Deirdre O'Shea Fitzgerald |
Castleisland Community Centre |
086 0460506 |
Mary Barrett-Swaine |
Adult Education Centre |
068 23866 |
Maeve Tuohy |
Tralee Adult Literacy & Basic Education Centre |
066 7124114 |
Examples of what you can learn
Basic courses to get you started
- Literacy Classes:- Reading, Writing and Spelling
- Writing Skills:- Organise and improve your writing. Different types of writing e.g. letters, telephone messages, and essays. Ways to improve spelling and grammer
- Number Skills:- Start again at the beginning and work in small group
Other courses - this is just a selection of what you might like to try
- Committee Skills:-Learn how committees work and the skills needed for each role
- Computer and IT Skills:- Start from scratch and become familiar with the keyboard. Gain confidence and learn to type a letter, send an e-mail and use the internet
- Family Learning Courses:- A choice of courses including, Storysacks, Maths for Parents, Dads & Lads courses, The Power of Encouragement
- Learning to Learn:- Study skills to help with returning to education
- Driver Theory Test:- Helps you get ready for this test by explaining the language involved
- Active Citizenship:- Includes the Voter Education programme, designed to assist people get on the Register of Electors and cast their vote elections.
FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council) Courses at Level 3
These are some of the modules on offer. Please note that not all modules are available at every centre. However, every effort is made to provide a module where there is sufficient interest. New modules come on stream from time to time, so if you don't see something which interest you, it is always worth talking to the local Organiser.
- Caring for Children
- Child Development & Play
- Communications
- Computer Literacy
- Consumer Awareness
- Drama
- Food & Nutrition
- Horticulture
- Mathematics
- Office Procedures
- Internet & E-mail
- Home Study Skills
- Learning Skills
Computers through Irish - available at the Centre in An Daingean
Maths through Irish - available at the Centre in An Daingean
“This measure is funded by the Irish Government
and part financed by the European Union under the
National Development Plan 2007-2013.”
