Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council
Active, Informed, Committed Practitioners
VALBEC leads and connects the adult literacy, language and numeracy field in Victoria
FAQ
What qualifications do I need to teach adult literacy and numeracy?
What work opportunities are there in adult literacy and numeracy?
Where can I find out what the acronyms mean?
Where can I find more information about the adult literacy field?
What do I need to become a literacy volunteer?
Where can I do volunteer tutor training?
How can I find somewhere to volunteer?
Please let us know if any of these links are broken so that we can keep you informed.
Q: What qualifications do I need to teach adult literacy and numeracy?
To work effectively with a sound teaching pedagogy, VALBEC believes it is advisable to hold a university teaching degree or higher. This could be a Bachelor, Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate of Education (primary or secondary teaching).
The minimum qualification required for teaching in accredited adult literacy and numeracy courses at TAFE and ACE providers is the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA),. The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA) does have an elective unit that looks at adult literacy and numeracy in VET teaching.
The newly accredited Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in Adult language, Literacy and Numeracy practice is now being offered in some states with plans for some organizations in Victoria to follow in 2011. While VALBEC is pleased to see the development of a specific qualification which will give a grounding in adult literacy and numeracy we believe that a post graduate qualification is desirable.
DEEWR offers Language Literacy & Numeracy Scholarships to practitioners upgrading their qualifications.
An alternative option for those interested in teaching adult literacy is to train as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. This requires a tertiary teaching qualification with a TESOL method and a minimum of 60 hours practicum - for example Bachelor of Education with TESOL method, Diploma in Education with TESOL method, TESOL within a Graduate Certificate in Education. This will qualify you to teach accredited ESL courses in TAFEs and private providers but will also give you some skills which help in teaching adult literacy. These qualifications are offered at most universities.
The 4 week Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) will only qualify you to teach overseas students in private training organisations in Australia or to work in ESL overseas. It is not accepted in TAFEs or other government funded organisations as a recognised qualification for teaching accredited ESL courses.
Current as at November 2011
Q: Which provider do I choose?
VALBEC does not recommend specific providers but rather encourages you to look at courses on offer and make a decision about what best suits you and your career plan.
Q: What work opportunities are there in Adult Literacy and Numeracy
Adult literacy and numeracy teachers work in TAFE, Neighbourhood Learning Centres, private RTOs or community colleges. Some work in industry but they are usually employed by TAFE or other education provider.
Our contacts list could be a starting point or contact the appropriate ACFE regional offices. You could also contact your local TAFE.
Some vacancies are advertised on eVALBEC, our electronic newsletter (to subscribe ) and you could also try http://www.infoxchange.net.au/
Mostly the work on offer will be sessional or part time so it depends what you are seeking. The hourly rate will vary - $50 is about average.
See also FAQ: What qualifications do I need to teach adult literacy and numeracy?
Refer to eVALBEC for current job opportunities
Q: Where can I find out what the acronyms mean?
Q: Where can I find more information about the adult literacy field?
Visit our list of useful links
Visit our list of literacy course contacts
TopQ: What do I need to become a literacy volunteer?
Understanding of diversity
Patience and commitment
No formal education requirements, competent knowledge of spelling, grammar, numeracy or spoken English
Q: Where can I do volunteer tutor training?
Holmesglen
AMES
http://www.ames.net.au/index.php?sectionID=6748&pageID=6753
Centre for Multicultural Youth
http://www.cmy.net.au/VolunteerTutorTraining
Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre (CNLC)
www.cnlc.org.au/volunteers.html
Q: How can I find somewhere to volunteer?
http://www.govolunteer.com.au/
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