Improved literacy is life-changing

posted in: Post-16 & Adult Literacy, Success Stories, Youth Work & Literacy |

Our strapline is “for people who don’t think they can”. Here’s what we mean. In Ireland and was told he was dyslexic; in England he was told he had a learning disability; teachers found him difficult; college tutors treated him as stupid. Look what That Reading Thing can do. This is from Stef Boyle, our TRT Wonder Woman from Worth Unlimited in Ellesmere Port. Nineteen year old N was referred to me by a training agency saying that he could … Read More

The added value of youth workers

posted in: Secondary literacy, Success Stories, Youth Work & Literacy |

That Reading Thing came into being because of young people I met through youth work. It was originally a youth work tool and used mostly by youth workers and volunteers trained to work in youth projects. They did such a spectacular job that schools took notice because their furthest out students were beginning to come to class on time, in uniform and able to engage. Over the years, That Reading Thing has become a tool used by schools as much … Read More

Never give up

posted in: Post-16 & Adult Literacy, Youth Work & Literacy |

Is anyone really unteachable? CK is a young man, 25 years old, who came to us because his Grandmother heard one of our LMG members talking about That Reading Thing. She said that C had never been able to read, he had dyslexia and had gone to a special school. He was holding down a job but wanted to go in the army and couldn’t pass the English test. He had gone to the local college for group lessons and … Read More

Literacy and Confidence

posted in: Success Stories, Youth Work & Literacy |

Sometimes a student needs to know they’re better than they thought. Here’s 14 year old Kazys’s interview. Interview with Kazys,  A 14 year old boy who gained 10 months in 6 TRT sessions.  What have you got out of That Reading Thing? I’ve gained confidence, I am a better reader than I thought I was. I have gained spelling & reading skills. How did you feel about reading before you started? I could read, but I thought I was behind … Read More

Literacy and Behaviour

posted in: Secondary literacy, Youth Work & Literacy |

Sometimes, working with young people living chaotic lives, you only get a very short time to make a difference. Here’s what only 4 sessions of That Reading Thing can do. The voice in this post belongs to Ellie Richards who was a youth worker in the West Midlands. A was referred to me in the summer term. She had previously seen a mentor, but had not responded well and opted out of that mentoring. A was known in the school … Read More

Literacy for Young Adults Part 2

posted in: Post-16 & Adult Literacy, Success Stories, Youth Work & Literacy |

NEWS: Due to recent discussion around the inclusion of phonics in adult literacy, I thought I’d better mention that all lessons in both Part 1 and Part 2 of Literacy for Young Adults are age-appropriate linguistic phonics. It’s not about c-a-t says cat! Community literacy, offered in an informal one-to-one setting, is a powerful tool for people who are wary of classrooms – and that includes many people who have tried and failed to learn to read and spell in … Read More

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