Adult Literacy

This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union

The Adult Literacy Service provides confidential, learner-centred and quality programmes for adults who wish to return to learning, improve their levels of literacy and avail of the educational opportunities that best suit their needs.

We offer part time courses in reading, writing, spelling, maths, using computers, tablets, and smart phones in all our centres as well as Family Learning and Skill for Work programmes.

Improve your skills and your confidence to support your children with their homework, have the opportunity to gain a QQI certificate, get more involved in your community and make new friends.

The philosophy of the Adult Literacy Service is a humanistic one. We believe in its transformative capacity. We believe in the development of both skills and confidence and are highly aware of the benefits or effects of literacy on the family, community, and society. The quality of teaching and learning is uppermost on our agenda as we are accountable not only to our funders but especially to our learners.

Classes are free and confidential, where tutors work at a pace that suits the learner and their interests.

What do we mean by literacy?

Literacy touches every aspect of our lives and has a great influence on our well-being. It is more than reading and writing. It is being able to understand, use and act on information. It involves listening, speaking and using everyday technology and the internet to communicate and handle information.

Literacy affects everyone

In Ireland, about one in six adults has unmet literacy needs. Many more have unmet numeracy needs. 42% of Irish adults do not have basic digital skills. Unmet literacy needs can often exclude people from carrying out a range of everyday activities or successfully interacting with public and private services.