Adult Foundation Learning

This report has been prepared by the Ministry of Education, with assistance from the Tertiary Education Commission and input from stakeholders in the ACE and LLN sectors to be submitted to the regional preparatory conference for CONFINTEA VI in Seoul from 6-8 October 2008. It provides comprehensive information on Adult Learning and Education in New Zealand.

This report, as well as national reports from other participating countries, can be read at: http://www.unesco.org/uil/en/nesico/confintea/confinteacountries.htm

The professional development initiative at Unitec was one of two “onsite clusters” started in 2006 where the cluster community is drawn from different parts of the organisation. The other cluster was at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT).

A key objective of the Learning for Living professional development initiative was to establish communities of learning. Initially these were geographically arranged communities involving clusters of organisations.

The purpose of this research study is to contribute to an understanding of what is required to enhance the assessment capability of tertiary education providers of learning in literacy, numeracy, and language.

An observational study of literacy, numeracy and language teachers. Researchers observed a group of literacy, numeracy and language tutors teaching adults to gain an insight into some current teaching practices in New Zealand.

The Summary Report "Acts of Teaching" can be downloaded from the top right hand inset box.

This literature review considers research into the effective teaching practices in literacy, numeracy and language teaching. Auckland Uniservices conducted a literature review on behalf of the Ministry of all original research studies into effective adult literacy teaching practices. The researchers looked especially at specific aspects of teaching practice and programme operations that were reliably linked to clear changes in learners' literacy skills. The review provides a critical evaluation of the available research evidence about effective practices in literacy, numeracy and language teaching and identified some key factors for effective teaching.

The Summary Report "Lighting the Way" can be downloaded from the top right hand inset box.

The Ministry of Education commissioned Massey University researchers to conduct further analysis of the 1996 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) data to determine whether certain demographic factors predict or are associated with low levels of literacy. This research provides a greater understanding of New Zealanders affected by literacy problems.

The Summary Report "Reading Between the Lines" can be downloaded from the top right hand inset box.

This study aimed to identify the breadth, volume and characteristics of foundation learning provision as it occurs in New Zealand across a wide range of contexts, involving diverse providers.

A Report on the Literacy Gains of Low-level and Pre-literate Adult Learners in Literacy Classes.