<< back to regions

Learners
Adult Basic Education provides a free, informal and confidential service for adults who want to improve their reading, writing and number skills. Tuition is provided on a one-to-one basis or in small groups where this is feasible, at times and in meeting places mutually agreed by learners and tutors.

At ABE we are aware that confidence-building plays a very important part in lifelong learning, so tutors are sensitive to individual needs. Learners come to us for many different reasons. For example, some may want to prepare for theory driving tests, while others would like to learn to fill in forms, deal with mail, cope with changes in paperwork at their workplace or manage the family budget. Parents are often concerned about their ability to help children with their homework or to understand accurately the new forms of school reports.

Adults of all ages are aware nowadays that new skills are needed to get to grips with technology but some of them lack the confidence to enrol for basic IT courses. ABE tutors can, by helping adults review and brush up their existing skills and then try them out privately on computers, show them that IT is really for everyone and that it can be fun.

ABE is a registered assessor for a number of SQA modules. Some learners like tackling these simply as a challenge, while others use them as a way of getting back into formal learning at a pace that suits them. Support is also provided for adults preparing for entrance tests for different services and for those needing help with vocational studies and/or with distant learning.

An increasing number of ABE learners are studying English as another language to help them integrate into the communities where they have come to settle, and in Badenoch and Strathspey we have small international groups which allow learners to practice their conversational skills.

Volunteer Tutors
Volunteer tutors enjoy communicating, are good listeners, have lots of patience, like a challenge, and have a sense of humour. They don't need previous teaching experience as we provide training. They get support from ABE staff and have the opportunity to meet other tutors at in-service training workshops and adult literacy events.

Training Courses
Training courses for volunteers are being delivered in Badenoch and Strathspey. The course, which will be accredited, takes approximately 32 hours, spread over several weeks.

Awareness Raising
We can deliver awareness raising training on request for staff or volunteers in projects and agencies, in the private or public sector, who have face-to-face contact with members of the public who may have literacy, numeracy, or language difficulties.

Projects and Initiatives

Hi Hopes Project
In the past two years an increasing number of migrant workers with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) needs have moved to the Highlands.
ABE and three other organisations - WEA, Highland Adult Literacies, and Inverness College - are collaborating to explore how best to provide services and develop resources for this group in Inverness, Badenoch, Strathspey & Nairn and Ross and Cromarty. Funding for this work has been granted by the European Social Fund.

Big Plus in Libraries
The Big Plus in Libraries is part of a national campaign to de-stigmatise low literacy and encourage adults to come forward and engage in literacy learning. It builds upon the work which is already taking place between the library services and adult literacies providers.
Working with Learning Connections (Communities Scotland) - which funded the initiative - and the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), Highland Adult Literacies, Highland Libraries and ABE have played an active role in the development of the project. Highland was asked to do this because of the strength of partnership working at a local level and the examples of good practice which have come from this.

Want to know more?
If you would like to volunteer as a tutor or just have a chat to find out more, please get in touch. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this service, please pass on this information and encourage them to contact ABE. Tuition is free, informal and confidential.

Area Co-ordinator Badenoch & Strathspey:

Mohamed Hamada
Community Education Office
The School House
Milton Park
Aviemore
PH 22 1RR
Tel: 01479 811689
E-mail: mohamed.hamada@highland.gov.uk