FAQs

General

1. What qualifications and training do I need to teach adults?

For information on the qualifications and training needed to teach adults, it is best to contact Lifelong Learning UK, which is the sector skills council responsible for the professional development of staff working in the UK lifelong learning sector. They run a free information and advice service offering professional advice and can be contacted on 020 7936 5798, email: advice@lluk.org or through the LLUK website. Detailed information about standards and qualifications can also be found on that  website.

NIACE produces a briefing sheet called 'How do I become a teacher of adults?' - [PDF] which gives more advice about the training needed.

2. What qualifications and training do I need to teach basic skills?

For further information on the qualifications and training needed, it is best to contact Lifelong Learning UK, which is the sector skills council responsible for the professional development of staff working in the UK lifelong learning sector. They run a free information and advice service offering professional advice and can be contacted on 020 7936 5798 or at advice@lluk.org. Detailed information about teaching literacy, numeracy and ESOL can be found on the LLUK website .

Information about how to train as a Skills for Life teacher can also be found on the TALENT (Training Adult Literacy, ESOL and Numeracy Teachers) website (see under Advice). For individual advice about training options call the TALENT helpline on 020 7911 5372.

NIACE produces a briefing sheet called 'How do I become a teacher of adults?' - [PDF] which gives more advice about the training needed to teach basic skills.

3. Where can I find more information about volunteering to teach basic skills?

To find out about local voluntary opportunities you can consult your local adult education authority.  Contact details can be found by looking in the NIACE Adult Learning Yearbook and should also be available in your local reference library. 

There is also information about organisations that have opportunities for volunteers on the National Literacy Trust website

4. Where can I find information about local basic skills classes?

The best starting point is to contact the Get On helpline, who provide confidential advice to adult learners wishing to improve their literacy, numeracy or language skills. Go to the Get On website or you can telephone them on freephone 0800 66 0800. 

You can contact your local adult education authority as they will have details of classes running in your area.  Contact details can be found by looking in the NIACE Adult Learning Yearbook, a copy of which should be available in your local reference library. 

You can contact the Careers Advice Service who provide educational advice, their phone number is 0800 100 900 or you can email an adviser through their website . The website includes a database of over 9,000 courses throughout the UK which can be searched by subject and location.

You can also try contacting learndirect, a government funded e-teaching organisation which has options for studying online. They run a free telephone enquiry service on 0800 101 901 or you can look at the learndirect website

5. Where can I go to find careers advice and guidance?

NIACE is unable to provide careers advice and guidance. It would be best to contact the Careers Advice Service which offers impartial advice on a range of topics relating to work, education and employment. You can telephone them free on 0800 100 900 to talk in confidence to a trained adviser. Alternatively, you can look at the Careers Advice Service website

6. What funding is available for people returning to study?

NIACE is unable to provide funding for individuals.  You may find it useful to contact the Educational Grants Advisory Service, which holds information on all forms of post-16 funding.  They can be contacted at:

The Educational Grants Advisory Service
Family Welfare Association
501-505 Kingsland Road
London, E8 4AU
Tel:  020 7254 6251
Fax: 020 7249 5443
Website: http://www.family-action.org.uk/section.aspx?id=1037

Other useful sources of information are The Educational Grants Directory and The Directory of Grant Making Trusts, both of which you may be able to find in your local reference library.  The following web pages may also be helpful:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning

NIACE also produces a briefing sheet called 'Sources of Funding for adult leaners' - [PDF] which provides an introduction to funding for adult learners, which you may find useful.

See also the linked briefing sheet for older learners seeking funding - [PDF]

7. How can I compare my qualifications gained outside the UK to the UK's qualification frameworks?

UK NARIC is the National Agency responsible for providing information and advice about vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from all over the world.  You can apply online through the UK NARIC website or by telephoning 0871 330 7033.

8. Can you send more information about the Quality Mark and logo?

The Quality Mark is concerned with recognising minimum standards in teaching literacy and numeracy and is a nationally recognized symbol of good practice in this area. It provides a framework whereby schools can work to raise the standards of basic skills. The Quality Mark is administered by Tribal who can be contacted on 0117 3115266 or emailed at enquiries@qm-alliance.co.uk

9. What help is there for staff training and development within my organisation?

The Workplace Learning team at NIACE offer a range of training solutions, from bespoke courses designed and delivered by our professional staff to off-the-shelf materials that you can use yourself. We offer interventions that promote a sustained approach through raising awareness and changing approaches and can contextualise our training for your workplace. For more information please contact the Workplace Learning team at workplace@niace.org.uk

10. When is Adult Learners' Week in 2010?

It will run from Saturday 15th to Friday 21st May 2010.  More information is available from the ALW website

11. How can I become a member of NIACE?

Members of NIACE must have a bona fide interest in education and training for adults.  Organisations and individuals need to join formally to become a member, and will pay a yearly subscription to NIACE. Upon joining NIACE, all members sign an agreement to say they support NIACE's aims and objectives.  More information can be found on our membership pages

Publications

1. How can I find and order NIACE and BSA publications?

NIACE is a leading publisher of adult learning resources with national and international appeal.  Now that we are taking forward the work of the Basic Skills Agency (BSA), this includes a great many more titles.  Visit our online Book Shop to conveniently browse and buy more than 500 key publications across all areas of interest. You can also order our resources by calling 0870 600 2400. The book sop also includes many FREE resources.

Email address for orders:    niaceorders@omsg.co.uk
Email address for queries:   niacecustomerservice@omsg.co.uk

Address: NIACE Publications, PO Box 170, Ashford, TN24 0ZX

2. Where can I find the adult core curriculum?

The Core Curriculum is available in literacy, numeracy and ESOL, but not in ICT.  It's available online and can be downloaded from the Excellence Gateway , LSIS's portal for the further education system.

3. Can you tell me more information about the Initial Assessment?

The Initial Assessment tests literacy and numeracy and provides a clear indication of skills needed.  It is aligned with the National Standards for Adult Literacy and Numeracy (2000) from Entry 1 to Level 1.  It takes 40 minutes to complete and can be administered and marked by non-specialists.  The resource is photocopiable.

Purchase Initial Assessment here in both hardcopy and on CD-ROM.

4. Are there any resources that test up to Level 2?

The Initial Assessment tests up to Level 1. There are some resources that test up to Level 2 on the Tribal website

There are also resources on the Tools Library website

They both include computer based tools but are not available in a paper-based format.

5. Is it possible to review resources before buying them?

It isn't possible to review resources before buying, but members of the public with a genuine research need are welcome to view resources in NIACE's reference library in Leicester.  The library is open for reference purposes by appointment, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

6. Is it possible to be invoiced for materials rather than order from the website?

Yes it is possible to order materials and pay by invoice, however invoices can only be issued for orders over £35. Customers wanting to pay by invoice will need to place their order by calling the NIACE Publications order line on 0870 600 2400, by sending a fax to 0870 600 2401, or by writing to NIACE publications, PO Box 170, Ashford, TN24 0ZX.

7. Can we photocopy / refer to one of your resources?

It largely depends on the resource: resources should clearly state whether you are allowed to photocopy or refer to them. If you have any queries regarding copyright issues please contact the Library team for more assistance.