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Adult literacy

These resources provide information for Queensland public library staff about adult literacy for learners, teachers and tutors.

The State Library of Queensland's Public Library Services collection contains resources for English speakers and for learners of English as a second language. The collection includes:

teaching theory and practice books and videos;
workbooks for students on grammar, spelling, comprehension;
taped book kits;
resources for numeracy;
novels, short stories, poems, plays, biographies, cooking at graded reading levels.

To borrow literacy resources, use the adult literacy material - bulk loan request online form [new window]

The Living Literacy forum

The State Library of Queensland presented the Living Literacy Forum, as part of the development of the Literacy Framework Project. The Framework is intended to help guide the delivery of services supporting literacy in Queensland through state and public libraries.

For all presentations and results from the day, visit the Living Literacy Forum page.

Adult literacy organisations

Australian Council for Adult Literacy [new window]: Promotes adult literacy and numeracy policy and practice (ACAL).
Queensland Council for Adult Literacy [new window]: Queensland adult literacy information (QCAL).
The Reading Writing Hotline [new window]: Programs available in your local area.

Online resources

Supporting adult literacy learners and tutors

The resources below can also be downloaded in a printable .pdf document [new window PDF Document 38 kb]

Skillswize [new window] : This website allows learners to imprive their skills in reading, writing and number concepts. Contains interactive activities, fact sheets and printable exercises. Comprehensive and highly recommended.
Literacytools [new window] : Irish adult literacy site with printable exercises and online games. Note that some content is specifically Irish.
New Zealand literacy portal [new window] : Click on Adult Literacy in NZ to get some useful information in the tutor resources section.
Adult Learners [new window] : From the BBC learning website - contains literacy, numeracy and more.
Australian English @ the beach [new window] : Preston Reservoir Adult & Community Education – language and literacy students’ site. Contains exercise about the Australian beach – safety, dangerous animals etc.
Excellence gateway [new window] : From Department for Education & Skills, UK. You need to create your own log on to use this very good website. Specific information about literacy and numeracy employability skills.
EnglishClub [new window] : An excellent free website for teachers of English with printable worksheets.
Livewire puzzles [new window] : Free printable word search puzzles.
Luminosity [new window] : Brain games designed to develop the functioning of the brain. Can be used with people with acquired brain injuries etc.
Key skills in communication [new window] : This BBC page is about communication skills for the workplace such as writing reports and effective communications. There is useful information, as well as worksheets and interactive material.
Allpuzzles.net [new window] : This site has many puzzle variations that are printable.
English tenses with cartoons [new window] : This website would be very useful for ESL students who have trouble choosing the correct tense to use. A short, simple cartoon clearly illustrates the meaning of the verb.
Big Dog's grammar [new window] : This site has clear and concise explanations followed by self-tests with lots of feedback.
Literacy zone [new window] : This site has been reorganised and is very good for grammar exercises.
Purdue online writing lab [new window] : Click on the grammar and mechanics tag for useful exercises.
ManyThings.org [new window] : This site is designed for ESL students but is useful with all LLN students.
Funbrain [new window] : This website has a lot of interactive games. Care should be taken to ensure that the content is suitable for adults before using them.
Breaking news English [new window] : This site uses actual news articles as the basis of a suggested lesson. Suggested activities and exercises follow the chosen article
Adele's ESL corner [new window] : A free on-line site for English grammar and spelling exercises with Australian content.
Englishpage.com [new window] : This free web site has worksheets, tutorials and many other useful activities
Brochure [new window 47 kb] - a printable brochure with generic information about adult literacy resources at public libraries, who can access them and how to borrow them, and some handy websites.
Adult Literacy Program - Sunshine Coast Libraries [new window] - information on free Literacy courses run by Sunshine Coast Libraries.

Computer skills

Mousing around [new window] : From Palm Beach County Library, USA, free tutorial on using a computer mouse. There is a little American content but it is excellent. Once they have successfully completed the tutorial the user can print out a certificate with their name on it.
Goodtyping.com [new window] : This is a free website that teaches typing skills. You have to create their own log on. It automatically takes you to the last page you used each time you log on.
Webwise [new window] : BBC website with information/programs about using computers and the Internet, including social media.
ABC pc [new window] : This is a good site for people who are just beginning to use computers
In pictures [new window] : This is an excellent pictorial site which teaches you how to use many programs including Word, Publisher, Excel and Powerpoint. If you prefer to you can learn Open Office software. It was created for people with learning difficulties so the approach is user-friendly.

More information

If you have an enquiry about Queensland public library services, you can contact us in the following ways:

Telephone +61 7 3214 3214
Fax +61 7 3214 3244
Ask us
Visit us (by appointment only; no public facilities)

For general enquiries:

Ask at your local Queensland public library
Other libraries [new window]

Last updated: 25th October 2011

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