EAD Write Now is a new adult literacy series to be screened on RTE 1 on Tuesday nights at 11 p.m. starting on September 26th. It will be repeated on Wednesday mornings at 10:05. The series comprises 12 half-hour programmes presented by Teri Garvey.
It is estimated that up to 500,000 Irish people have problems with reading and writing and this series is designed to raise awareness of literacy issues while also offering practical coping strategies for everyday situations. The series is funded by the Department of Education and Science and is being produced by AV Edge Communications in consultation with the National Adult Literacy Agency.
Each programme will feature a short pieces of drama based on the literacy issues presented by real-life situations. Extracts from each drama are replayed to highlight the learning points that arise in them. "The idea is to tackle literacy issues in a very practical and direct way," says the programme's producer, Sue Russell.
"Using TV to address literacy is quite a radical approach, but it's also very positive because it allows us to air the issues on mainstream TV and by so doing hopefully to remove some of the stigma that goes with literacy problems." It is Russell's intention that people watching the programmes should come away with something positive from each one. She hopes people's reading and writing skills will improve and that they will be encouraged by the experiences of the people whose stories are featured.
"With literacy problems you can't beat around the bush. You have to be direct and practical and we hope that by using plenty of everyday examples the programme will strike a chord with people at all points on the literacy spectrum," says Russell.
A free student-pack will be available to those who call the designated freephone number during the course of the series and the pack is made up of worksheets which are designed to reinforce the learning points dealt with in each programme. Literacy tutors will also be available to give advice and information to all callers and to make referrals to VEC literacy schemes nationwide.
CONTACT POINT: Literacy schemes are always in need of voluntary, part-time tutors. They are also always happy to accept new students. To find the nearest literacy scheme in your area contact the National Adult Literacy Agency at (01) 855 4332.
