RTÉ to teach technology skills to adults with literacy problems

NEARLY everybody seems to have a mobile phone these days.

For tens of thousands of people with poor literacy skills, however, they’re scary instruments.

Learning how to handle modern technology - such as the mobile phone and personal computer - is the focus of the latest adult literacy series, Read Write Now, on RTÉ Two this autumn.

In each programme, starting next Monday (at 7.30pm, with repeats on RTÉ One Saturdays at 8.30am) presenter Derek Mooney will show a learner making use of modern technology.

The first programme kicks off with the inspiring story of Co Offaly man Tom Kelly, who had struggled in life due to poor literacy skills.

A short few years later, his life has transformed to the point where he is making plans to study for a degree in history.

Apart from showing how people acquire new skills, each weekly programme will demonstrate how learners achieved their goals with Derek Mooney’s support.

The adult learners featured on the programmes range from recent school leavers to learners in their 60s. Every programme also includes advice on improving reading and writing skills, plus the ever-popular spelling tip.

“There are half a million Irish adults with very low levels of literacy, that is, at a literacy level that they cannot function in normal society,” said Tommy Byrne, spokesman for the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) yesterday.

“They can’t read an insurance form and follow medication instructions; can’t read packaging details; can’t do the homework with their children; can’t up-skill in their job.

“We’re the main agency for developing and promoting literacy provision in Ireland. There are 126 literacy schemes around the country you can go to if you have low literacy skills. And you can get one-to-one tuition.

“As an alternative to that, you can use the television series,” said Mr Byrne.

“It’s the most successful educational series on RTÉ. On average it gets over 100,000 viewers. It gets between 7,000 and 10,000 people ringing on the helpline.”

For a free copy of the Read Write Now workbook accompanying the series, telephone [phone].

Information: www.nala.ie