This year’s them is Back to basics: Reading, writing, numeracy, ESOL and digital literacy.

Our National Tutors’ Forum is back and we are looking forward to seeing you.

We will have three speakers in the morning looking at topics such as dyslexia in adult learners, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), creative reading and writing in the classroom.

There will also be a choice of 8 workshops on topics including ideas for getting adult literacy students to write, power up learners participation with AI, strategies and resources to teach reading, and building ESOL literacy from scratch.

You can view the full list of speakers and workshops below and click “Register now” at the bottom of the page to save your spot.

Cost: There is no fee for attending this conference. Please register below.

Note: The Richmond Centre is very close to both the Smithfield (Red line) and Broadstone (Green line) Luas stops. It is a 20-minute walk from Heuston station.

Programme

9.30 Registration: tea and coffee

10.00 South City Singers (ESOL student choir), City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB)

10.30 Welcome and opening remarks: Jason Campbell, Adult learner

10.40 NALA update: Colleen Dube, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NALA

Guest Speakers

10.50 Assessing dyslexia in Adult Learners: A collaborative Level 1 to 3 approach.

• Léan Lynch and Siobhán Nolan, Active Inclusion Support Service, Cork ETB and Donald Ewing, Head of Education and Policy, Dyslexia Ireland.

11.10 Working with learners using AI: Access, agency and inclusion.

• Aoife Fitzsimons, Digital Learning Coordinator, Galway and Roscommon ETB.

11.30 Using creative reading and writing for transformative change.

• Eleanor Neff, Adult Literacy lecturer, The Literacy Development Centre, South East Technological University (SETU).

11.50 Questions and Answers

12.00 Go to workshops.

12:15 – 1:15pm Morning workshops

(a) Ideas for getting adult literacy students to write – Sharon Murphy, Adult Literacy Tutor, Louth and Meath ETB.
Adult literacy students will often engage more with writing activities when the lessons are practical and respectful of their lived experiences. This workshop explores how to encourage learners to write by using everyday tasks along with short, low-stakes writing activities to help build confidence and make writing a useful, achievable skill

(b) Power up participation: Hands-on AI for all – Aoife Fitzsimons, Digital Learning Coordinator, Galway and Roscommon ETB

(c) The foundations of teaching reading: Strategies and resources – Fionnaigh Connaughton, Adult literacy tutor and trainer, Dublin Adult Learning Centre (DALC)

(d) Building ESOL literacy from scratch: Practical worksheet design and progression structure for ESOL literacy students – Lucy Murray, ESOL Coordinator and Tutor, Step Up, City of Dublin ETB. .

1.15pm Lunch

2.00 – 3.00pm Afternoon workshops

(e) Maths Fun: Incorporating strategies that help learners to think in logical or mathematical ways – Tony Sweeney, Numeracy Trainer.

(f) Why do some ESOL learners struggle with literacy and how can we engage the learner in our classes? – Angus O’Riordan, Psychosocial Manager, Spirasi
A look at some of the key factors which have impacted upon the education of an ESOL literacy learner and how we can aim to make the classroom an inclusive, engaging and welcoming space

(g) Creating success for older learners: Tips and strategies to help older literacy learners build their skills and confidence – Mary McGrath, Adult Literacy Organiser, Dublin College of Further Education and Training, Swords.
Many older learners are nervous about returning to the classroom, especially if they have had a negative experience of school. This workshop will share the learning from our experience of becoming Ireland’s FIRST Age Friendly Education Service and look at how we help older learners to achieve their literacy and digital literacy goals in the classroom and beyond –

(h) The foundations of teaching reading: Strategies and resources – Fionnaigh Connaughton, Adult literacy tutor and trainer, Dublin Adult Learning Centre (DALC)

Registration fee: There is no fee for attending this conference. We’d be delighted if you joined NALA as a member.

If you have any questions please contact Fergus at fdolan@nala.ie