The Scottish Government

These sites represent some of the adult literacy resources available on the World-Wide Web. The Scottish Executive is not responsible for the contents of these sites.

In addition to the general sites, there are also specific sites for Literacies and Disability and for Specific Learning Difficulties.

- General websites -

Australia and New Zealand

Canada

Republic of Ireland

United Kingdom

United States

Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL) has a vision to lead Australia in the development and promotion of adult literacy policy and practice.

Australian Literacy Educators' Association (ALEA) provides support and professional development to educators and others interested in literacy through conferences, workshops and seminars, and publications.

The Australian Literacy Federation is a federation of the five peak professional associations concerned with the promotion and support of English language and literacy education in Australia.

The Adult Literacy and Numeracy Australian Research Consortium (ALNARC) is a national collaboration between university-based centres in each state for research into adult literacy and numeracy, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) and the Australian National Training Authority.

LiteracyNet is a service of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA). It provides links to useful literacy information from across the education and training sector.

The Language Australia National Resource Centre is a one-stop shop for people wanting to find out about publications and resources in languages, literacy and cultures for both children and adults.

The Adult Education Resource and Information Service (ARIS) is a database of resources and materials.

The National Reporting System (NRS) is the Australian mechanism for reporting the outcomes of adult English language, literacy and numeracy programmes.

Quee nsland Council for Adult Literacy (QCAL)
Information and resources to support basic skills.

Workbase
Workbase is an independent non-profit organisation that improves literacy,numeracy and communication skills of the New Zealand workforce.

The Workplace English Language Literacy (WELL) programme is designed to provide workers with the English language and literacy skills they need to meet the demands of the workplace.

ABC Canada Literacy Foundation is a national organisation committed to promoting literacy to the general public and private sector. It focuses on public awareness programmes and the provision of promotional support to local literacy groups.

The Canadian Association of Literacy Educators (CALE)

National Literacy and Health Programme is funded by the National Literacy Secretariat to conduct research and provide advice and guidance to health professionals.

The National Literacy Secretariat(NLS) was formed to work with provincial and territorial governments, the voluntary sector, business and labour, the literacy community and federal government departments to help advance literacy issues and policy development on a national and international scale. The objective of the National Literacy Secretariat is to promote a variety of opportunities for all Canadians to improve their reading and writing skills. The National Adult Literacy Database provides a database of adult literacy programmes, resources, services and activities across Canada .

Canada's Adult Literacy Information Network
This is an excellent site with a wide range of resources, including online books, newsletters, research documents and links.

Canadian National Literacy Organisation
Statistical information on Adult Literacy in Canada, including case studies and survey results, plus a section on adult literacy in the workplace.

Movement for Canadian Literacy

A Canadian non-profit organisation acting as a national voice for literacy for through networking, research, government liaison, learner development, communication, collaboration and building the capacity to support those involved with adult literacy education.

National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is the co-ordinating, campaigning and training body for all those interested and involved in adult literacy work in Ireland.

Adult Literacies in Scotland is the National Development Project on adult literacy funded by the Scottish Executive from 1999-2000. The Project's work includes producing information and advice for adult literacy programmes in Scotland; supporting the sharing and development of good practice; carrying out a survey of programmes in Scotland and publishing good practice guidelines.

Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre
A variety of resources and links on basic skills in literacy and numeracy for adults, plus useful links to other resource sites.

Adult Literacies Online

A resource bank for literacies workers, created by Learning Connections.

AlphaPlus Centre
Information and resources to support basic skills.

ARKS - Adult Returners Key Skills Project
This site was developed by 2nd Chance to Learn at Edinburgh University Settlement, as part of a European partnership. The downloadable material includes a tutor training pack and a range of documents in Acrobat format.

Basic Skills Agency
The Basic Skills Agency is the development organisation for literacy and numeracy in England and Wales. The site features news updates, discussion and a Learner Zone.

Basic Skills Agency Observatory
Aimed at teachers and basic skills practitioners, the site contains information on policy and effective practice, as well as research on literacy, numeracy and language from early years to post-16.

Basic Skills Agency Resource Centre
The Basic Skills Agency Resource Centre is located at the Institute of Education in London as a reference-only collection of basic skills teaching material for adults and young people.

BBC Raw

RaW is a BBC campaign that aims to help adults across the UK read and write better.

BBC Skillswise
Skillswise is an interactive adult literacy and numeracy resource from the BBC for tutors and learners. It aims to help adults improve their reading, writing and maths skills.

Brookie Basics is a Channel 4 and Mersey TV broadcasting campaign aimed at adults who need help to improve their reading and writing skills. A UK-wide network of 800 centres, learning packs and helpline (provided by Learn Direct).

Campaign for Learning
This site has both a family learning and a workplace learning section.

City and Guilds Basic Skills
This site offers free downloads relating to numeracy skills.

Department of Education and Skills adult learning
This section of the site deals with adult learning in England and Wales.

Dyslexia Association of Britain
Information on how to help people with dyslexia. Simple assessment checklists are provided, along with advice for tutors.

Edinburgh Council's Adult Literacies
Literacy and numeracy learning opportunities and projects in the Edinburgh city area.

Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA)
Adult basic education approaches in Northern Ireland. EGSA is a voluntary organisation based in Belfast which aims to help adults to improve their opportunities for learning.

FERL
Becta's information gateway site for further education in England and Wales. In the "learning and teaching" section you will find links to sites relating to literacy and numeracy under two headings, "basic education" and "key skills".

Improving Post-School Literacy and Numeracy Report
A report by a working group, chaired by Sir Claus Moser, into post-school literacy and numeracy.

Learning and Teaching Scotland
The LTScotland website now has a section on literacy and numeracy teaching, mainly focussing on pre-adult literacy and numeracy but with some content relevant to adults.

Learndirect Scotland
Advice and information about learning opportunities in Scotland, including details of courses in literacy and numeracy.

Literacies for Life in Further Education
A project which focuses on the use of literacy practices by students who participate in further education courses. This a joint project linking Scottish and English universities and further education colleges.

LLU+
LLU+ is a national consultancy and professional development centre for staff working in the areas of literacy, numeracy, dyslexia, family learning and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

National Literacy Trust
Although much of this site deals with child literacy issues, there are some sections on adult literacy.

National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy
NRDC is the independent national centre for England, dedicated to research and development on adult literacy, language and numeracy, established as part of 'Skills for Life', the UK government's strategy for improving adult literacy, language and numeracy across England.

National Association for Adult Learning (NIACE)
A non-governmental organisation for adult learning in England and Wales, covering all aspects of adult learning, but with some interesting information on literacy and numeracy skills.

RaPAL, Research and Practice in Adult Literacy is the only UK wide organisation that focuses on the role of literacy in adult life. RaPAL is an independent network of learners, teachers, managers and researchers.

Read On Write Away
A literacy initiative from the County of Derbyshire and the City of Derby, with some examples of adult literacy work.

Read Together
The Read Together website is part of the Home Reading Initiative which aims to encourage parents and carers to share books with their children froma young age. The site may interest to tutors working with adult learners who wish to develop their confidence in reading with their children.

Read Write Plus
This site is aimed at the English and Welsh curriculum, but parts of the site are of interest in a broader context. For example, the learning section, has interactive tests for adult literacy or numeracy skills.

Scottish Further Education Unit - Virtual Learning Centre
This site includes an information gateway to useful websites, including literacy, numeracy and communication. It is regularly updated with information about events in Scotland, workshops and news updates.

Support 4 Learning
This is a gateway site, offering a host of links to online support materials for working with adults in developing their literacy and numeracy skills.

Talent
The professional development site for teachers of adult literacy, ESOL and numeracy supports teacher training and the development of qualified language, literacy and numeracy teachers.

The Big Plus website

The Big Plus website compliments the Scottish adult literacies awareness raising campaign, providing information for new learners, young people, business and learning professionals.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
'Literacy for All' is at the very heart of UNESCO's education for all commitment. This site provides the bigger picture.

Voting. It's your right

Outside the Box is working with people who have learning difficulties and people who have autism. They are explaining why taking part in elections is a good idea, and showing people how to do it.

Workplace Basic Skills Agency
The Workplace Basic Skills Network is supported by the English Department for Education and Skills, and gives information about a number of projects. The site includes a discussion forum and a links page.

Write were you are

Write where you are is a campaign run by NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education - England and Wales) to inspire adults to write about their lives and interests in creative, imaginative and fun ways.

Literacy in Libraries is a three year national initiative run by the American Library Association (ALA) designed to strengthen library-based adult literacy programmes.

Voice for Adult Literacy United for Education (VALUE) is a national organization of adult learners (current and former participants in adult basic skills programs) in the United States.

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) NIFL is an independent federally funded organisation leading the US effort toward a fully literate America in the 21 ^st century. Through Equipped for the Future NIFL has developed content standards for adult education that explain what adults need to know and be able to do to meet the demands of their roles as workers, family members and citizens. For a full listing of NIFL programmes and services see http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/programs_services

LINCS is the National Institute for Literacy's on-line connection to adult literacy information. Subject and regional specific collections are available to connect state and local organisations, practitioners, researchers and learners.

The National Centre for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy [NSCALL] focuses on literacy research and innovation in North America.

Literacy Online provides access to The National Center on Adult Literacy at the University of Pennsylvania and The International Literacy Institute. Literacy Online is a gateway to electronic resources and tools for the national and international adult literacy communities.

National Centre for Family Literacy (NCFL) engages in advocacy and policy development for the national family literacy movement; research and evaluation to improve family literacy programs and examine long-term effects; model program development to demonstrate the effectiveness of family literacy to communities; training and technical assistance for practitioners, administrators, and policymakers and information to educate the public and help practitioners learn from each other.

Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) trains and supports volunteers as adult tutors, on a national, regional and local basis.

PBS Literacy Link is an integrated instructional system of video and on-line for educators and learners.

Adult Literacy Resources Institute - USA
This website is connected to a staff development centre for adult literacy and basic education and English for speakers of other languages programme in the Greater Boston area. It is part of the Graduate College of Education at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

Harnessing Technology to Serve Adult Literacy
This area of the ALRI website explores the use of ICT in Adult Literacy.

Literacy.org
A gateway to electronic tools and resources, jointly sponsored by the International Literacy Institute and the National Centre on Adult Literacies (University of Pennsylvania).

Literacy Connections
This is the adult literacy section of the Literacy Connections Website, and provides links to ideas and resources from an American perspective.

Literacynet
The Literacynet resources section of the site provides a variety of texts and related questions - based on American news items - to help develop reading skills.

National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)

A US government funded research and development centre focused on adult learning and literacy.

ProLiteracy Worldwide

ProLiteracy Worldwide is represented in 45 developing countries as well as in the US and serves more than 350,000 new adult learners around the world each year. Its purpose is to sponsor educational programs and services to help adults and their families with reading, writing and numbers.

Surfing For Substance
An adult literacy site, from the Northeast Regional Technology in Education Consortium, that uses the internet to teach literacy skills.

- Reports -

International Adult Literacy Study

International Numeracy Survey

Report of the Moser Group

Adult Learning in England: a Review

UK Adult Literacy Survey