Since 2000, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) has been using the mass medium of television to highlight literacy issues, outline supports that are available, motivate people to return to education and provide opportunities for learning in the privacy of their own home. Once again this year, NALA has a free distance education service to run alongside the new TV series. The Freephone support line is 1800 20 20 65 and is staffed by experienced operators who can identify learner’s level and needs, and match them with a distance education tutor.  This tutor will suggest and design an appropriate learning package and support the learners as they use the materials to improve their skills.

NALA has also developed a website to help parents support their children’s education called www.helpmykidlearn.ie.  It includes general information, fun activities and useful tips. Help My Kid Learn is a website where people can see that supporting a child’s literacy and numeracy development is a natural, easy and fun activity that can be integrated into any part of their day.