Free resources for tutors working with adults Wednesday, April 1, 2009 - 14:56

Free resources for tutors who want to introduce their learners to reading - from fiction and non-fiction, to travel writing and novels - are available through the website Reading for Pleasure, launched by NIACE on 1 April 2009.

The resources - which can be downloaded or ordered online - include:

• CPD modules for Skills for Life tutors, tutors working in offender learning and Union Learning Representatives
• a four-lesson plan encouraging learners by using the traditional craft of Storytelling
• Quick Reads - short, fast-paced books written by bestselling authors, ideal for adults new to reading or who find reading difficult
• guidance for libraries to help engage families and their children
• Putting two and 2 together - a book creating a bridge between literacy and numeracy learning
• teaching and learning support materials on using blogs, wikis, iPods and e-books to promote reading and writing
• a Families, Learning and Storytelling pack

 Rachel Davies, Development Officer, Literacy, Language and Numeracy at NIACE, said:

"Initially, learners want to improve their reading skills for many reasons, and these may change over time. This website helps teachers and Union Learning Representatives to introduce their learners to a wide range of reading materials, so that learners can practise their skills, maintain their interest in reading, and above all enjoy the pleasures of a good book."

Families, Learning and Storytelling is one of the resources available, particularly relevant to family learning practitioners, extended services and archives. The pack encourages the use of archives for family learning as a way to promote reading through non-fiction texts and to support community cohesion.

Mandy Thomas, Senior Project Officer Family Learning at NIACE, said:

"There's a huge amount of fascinating information held in archives, which has the potential to engage families in reading together and inspire them to share stories about their community. The Families, Learning and Storytelling pack suggests ways in which family learning providers, schools and archives can work together to create innovative and exciting learning activities for families."

Reading for Pleasure is funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and has been developed by NIACE together with The Reading Agency's Vital Link and the Quick Reads campaign.