FAQs
To make it easier for you to find the information you need, we have created a list of the most commonly asked questions about basic skills and the work of the Basic Skills Agency.
If your question has not been dealt with in this section, please email: enquiries@basic-skills.co.uk
How do you define 'basic skills'?
What is the difference between Initial and Diagnostic Assessment?
What curricula are used by teachers of basic skills?
How many learners are involved in basic skills courses?
Does the Agency deal with dyslexia?
What's the difference between dyslexia & poor basic skills?
What resources do you have for teachers working with dyslexics?
Do you fund individuals?
Where can we get funding for our project?
Is ICT part of basic skills?
Where do Key Stages sit with basic skills?
Can I link to the Agency website and/or use the logo?
What are the National Standards?
Where can I go for national tests in adult literacy and numeracy, ESOL or key skills?
I'm a new entrant to basic skills teaching, what qualifications do I need?
Where can I go for advice on Professional Development?
I am a trained basic skills tutor; can you get me a job?
I'd like to be a basic skills volunteer. Can you help me?
What work is the Basic Skills Agency at NIACE doing in Wales?
How do you define 'basic skills'?
We define basic skills as the ability to read, write and speak in English, and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function at work and in society in general.
What is the difference between Initial and Diagnostic Assessment?
Initial assessment gives the early warning signs that someone has poor basic skills. It helps tutors position learners against the National Standards for Adult Literacy and Numeracy so that an appropriate learning programme can be identified.
Diagnostic assessment builds on initial assessment, to provide more in-depth information about an individual's strengths and weaknesses, enabling tutors to design a programme of work suitable to the needs of the individual learner.
A revised version of The Basic Skills Agency, 'Initial Assessment Pack' for literacy and numeracy has been produced, and mapped to the national standards for adult literacy and numeracy.
You can order the Initial Assessment Pack from our Resources section.
A suite of diagnostic assessment materials for use with adult learners is available from ABSSU. All tools produced have been matched to the National Standards, the Adult Core Curricula for Literacy and Numeracy, the Pre-entry Curriculum and the ESOL curriculum. To view a full list of contents, or order the materials, please visit the Read Write Plus website.
What curricula are used by teachers of basic skills?
There are a number of Curriculum documents available for basic skills, which are available from the DCSF, these are:
- Pre-entry Curriculum Framework for Adult Literacy and Numeracy
- Adult Literacy Core Curriculum
- Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum
- Adult ESOL Core Curriculum
- A guidance document to aid with the curricula is also available: Access for All
Hard copies can be ordered from the DCSF orderline on: 0845 60 222 60
Interactive versions for all curricula are now available as interactive websites and in CD-ROM format.
Online versions of the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Core Curricula with Access for All, the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum and the Adult Pre-entry Curriculum Framework for Literacy and Numeracy can be accessed from the Read Write Plus website.
What curricula are used by teachers of basic skills?
Learndirect hold a database of courses in various subjects, including basic skills, and can give you advice on courses as well as putting you in touch with your nearest centre. They can be contacted on 0800 100 900 or visit www.learndirect-advice.co.uk
The Read Write Plus website also offers a step-by-step guide on getting on to courses.
How many learners are involved in basic skills courses?
The Basic Skills Agency are not directly involved in learning provision, and therefore do not hold statistics on the number of people taking up basic skills provision. The Learning and Skills Council (0870 900 6800 - www.lsc.gov.uk) and Learndirect (0800 700 987 - www.learndirect.co.uk) may be able to provide you with figures.
Does the Agency deal with dyslexia?
Poor basic skills, through the specific learning difficulty of dyslexia, are within the remit of the Basic Skills Agency. We work, often in partnership with other specialist dyslexia organisations, towards improving standards of basic skills amongst the group of people who are diagnosed as dyslexic.
What's the difference between dyslexia & poor basic skills?
Lots of people have poor basic skills. Some didn't learn at school, others have missed out for a variety of different reasons, however there are some adults with specific learning difficulties of which dyslexia is one.
What resources do you have for teachers working with dyslexics?
A suite of Diagnostic Assessment materials, for use with adult learners, is available from The Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit. The materials include materials for use with learners who have either already undertaken an assessment for dyslexia or who demonstrate potential dyslexia indicators. For further details, please visit the Read Write Plus website.
The Basic Skills Agency has also produced the following publications:
Diagnosing Dyslexia: Explains how to approach identification of specific learning difficulties and set up individualised teaching programmes.
Making the Curriculum Work for Learners with Dyslexia: This is part of a series providing in-depth information on teaching strategies and approaches, focusing on the requirements of the new Adult Literacy and Numeracy Standards Curricula.
Do you fund individuals?
We don't provide funding for individuals. Please contact the following groups for advice:
- Your Local Education Authority
- Local careers service
- Local college / university
Where can we get funding for our project?
The Learning and Skills Council are the main source of funding for basic skills programmes, please visit their website for more information. A list of funding opportunities is available on NIACE's website.
Is ICT part of basic skills?
The government's white paper, '21st Century Skills, Realising Our Potential,' recently described ICT as the third basic skill.
The Moser Report, A Fresh Start, recommended: "At the heart of improved quality in delivery and materials must be increased use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve basic skills".
The Basic Skills Agency research report, 'Getting Better Basic Skills - what motivates adults', found that of the factors most likely to motivate adults to improve their basic skills 50% felt that being able to learn on a computer would motivate them, with 49% feeling motivated by the opportunity to improve both their basic skills and ICT skills.
Where do Key Stages sit with basic skills?
Basic skills entry levels 1, 2 & 3 can be broadly aligned to key stages 1, 2 & 3.
Can I link to the Agency website and/or use the logo?
You are welcome to link to our website, although we recommend only linking to our homepage (http://www.basic-skills.co.uk) as other links are subject to change.
We do not usually allow the use of the Agency logo except where we are closely involved in what is produced.
What are the National Standards?
The National Standards for Adult Literacy and Numeracy were developed by the QCA in 1999/2000 in response to recommendation in the report by the Moser Group, A Fresh Start (1999). The standards form the basis of the Core Curricula, and National Tests, setting out what skills are required in literacy and numeracy at Entry Level and Levels 1 & 2 of the National Qualifications Framework.
More information on the standards, and requirements at each level, may be found on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website.
Where can I go for national tests in adult literacy and numeracy, ESOL or key skills?
The National Tests for Adult Literacy and Numeracy are based on the National Standards, and lead to a qualification in basic skills. The Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit has a searchable list of test centres, for national tests in adult literacy and numeracy, ESOL or key skills, on the Read Write Plus website. The site also offers the opportunity to practice the tests online.
I'm a new entrant to basic skills teaching, what qualifications do I need?
Since 2001 all teachers new to Further Education are required to work towards an approved Initial Teacher Training qualification, please see the DCSF website for details.
From September 2002 all new entrants to the teaching profession who wish to specialise in teaching adult literacy, numeracy or ESOL are required to undertake a FENTO approved programme leading to the new level 4 certificates.
Where can I go for advice on Professional Development?
The Skills for Life Improvement website is a 'one-stop shop' for information for teachers of Literacy, Numeracy and Language (ESOL) wishing to find out more about professional development both nationally and in their local area. Visit the Skills for Life Quality Initiative Website.
I am a trained basic skills tutor; can you get me a job?
The Basic Skills Agency are unable to assist in your job search, however you might like to try the following avenues:
- Contact your local colleges, through your Local LEA
- Check the educational press: TES on Fridays, Education Guardian on Tuesdays, the Independent (Education section) on Thursdays.
I'd like to be a basic skills volunteer. Can you help me?
Get in touch with adult and further education colleges in your area, to see if they need any support. Find your local volunteering centre.
Your local volunteer bureaux also might be able to help you with a placement. Please contact the National Association of Volunteer Bureaux on 0121 633 4555 for further information.
What work is the Basic Skills Agency at NIACE doing in Wales?
The former Basic Skills Agency was responsible for overseeing the National Basic Skills Strategy for Wales. Following the merger of the Agency with NIACE, the Strategy is run from the Welsh Assembly Government, with the Basic Skills Agency at NIACE contracted to provide a range of support functions until April 2008.
Please visit our Basic Skills Cymru website to find out more about the National Basic Skills Strategy for Wales.
