All publications

In recent years, many new arrivals to Australia through the Humanitarian Migration Program have… Show more

In recent years, many new arrivals to Australia through the Humanitarian Migration Program have been refugees from African countries. Their indigenous languages, like many other indigenous languages, do not have a written form. This guide provides a set of 'good practice' strategies for designing effective English language, literacy and numeracy programs for all adult learners from highly oral Show less

This study examined the extent to which English language, literacy and numeracy teachers used… Show more

This study examined the extent to which English language, literacy and numeracy teachers used classroom management strategies to meet the needs of adult Sudanese refugee learners. While teachers met the needs of these learners insofar as they coincided with those of other refugee groups, the highly oral language culture of these learners appeared not to have been accounted for in teaching Show less

This study investigated whether adult literacy and numeracy courses produced social capital… Show more

This study investigated whether adult literacy and numeracy courses produced social capital outcomes, which are changes in students' connections with networks of people. The study found that 80% of the students improved the structure of their networks and the way they communicated, as well as contributing to positive socioeconomic benefits in the areas of education and learning, employment and Show less

This set of 'exhibits' provides information relating to the presentation given at the National… Show more

This set of 'exhibits' provides information relating to the presentation given at the National Centre for Vocational Edcation Breakfast Briefing, 'Reading between the lines: Summing up adult literacy and numeracy research', in May 2006. The briefings focused on the amount of adult literacy and numeracy provision in Australia, efforts being made to address adult literacy and numeracy provision in Show less

The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce … Show more

The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce can be improved is particularly relevant in view of the ongoing debate on how language, literacy and numeracy skills should be taught. This study reflects on the professional development needs of the three sectors--vocational trainers, specialist teachers and volunteer tutors-- of the Australian Show less

Assessing the social and economic costs of poor adult literacy and numeracy skills, and the… Show more

Assessing the social and economic costs of poor adult literacy and numeracy skills, and the benefits of investing in such skills, is largely unchartered territory in Australia. This feasibility study explores the frameworks and methodologies available for determining and measuring such benefits and costs across a number of life domains, including health, finance and small business. Show less

Difficulty with literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to Indigenous students accessing… Show more

Difficulty with literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to Indigenous students accessing vocational education and training. This study explored the literacy and numeracy support systems available to Indigenous VET students and determined which systems work for both students and teachers and produce positive outcomes for Indigenous students, including successful completion. This has Show less

The idea that individuals,enterprises and economies gain financially from increased participation… Show more

The idea that individuals,enterprises and economies gain financially from increased participation in education or training is often assumed, but is not always easy to demonstrate or quantify. This report explores the benefits of further training for people with low levels of numeracy by analysing Australian and United States longitudinal data which allow links to be made between numeracy level, Show less

It has long been accepted that adult literacy and numeracy is best taught and learned in real-life… Show more

It has long been accepted that adult literacy and numeracy is best taught and learned in real-life situations that relate to everyday needs. This means that opportunities for learning are everywhere, not just in formal learning situations. This report seeks to identify examples and principles of the successful integration of learning about adult literacy into Australian community and workplace Show less

Ensuring that people have the appropriate level of numeracy skills is particularly important in… Show more

Ensuring that people have the appropriate level of numeracy skills is particularly important in jobs which involve a risk to public safety and the environment. This research investigates the job-related numeracy requirements in the chemical spraying and handling operations of the horticulture, local government, outdoor recreation and warehousing industries. Findings from this study indicate that Show less

New ways of thinking about how language, literacy and numeracy skills are taught has coincided with … Show more

New ways of thinking about how language, literacy and numeracy skills are taught has coincided with a fundamental policy change in the vocational education and training sector. A major development has been the integration of literacy, language and numeracy skills into vocational training. The complexity of the issues makes it important to gain a better understanding of what actually happens in Show less

The formal court system in Australia has long been criticised for its adversarial nature. As a… Show more

The formal court system in Australia has long been criticised for its adversarial nature. As a result, there has been an increase in the use of alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation. These are promoted as a means of increasing access to justice by disadvantaged groups and as an inexpensive way of solving legal or quasi-legal disputes. In practice, however, alternative dispute Show less

This publication explores adult literacy and numeracy. It draws on major insights from a wide body… Show more

This publication explores adult literacy and numeracy. It draws on major insights from a wide body of recent research commissioned by NCVER and funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training. It shows that literacy and numeracy practices change over time, and that the literacy challenge is not confined to those people traditionally considered to be poorly educated or unsuccessful. It Show less

The National Reporting System (NRS) was developed to report the outcomes of English language,… Show more

The National Reporting System (NRS) was developed to report the outcomes of English language, literacy and numeracy provision in Australia's vocational education and training and adult and community education sectors, and in labour market programs. Since its introduction, however, the NRS has been used as more than a reporting tool. It has also been used for setting standards and for curricular Show less

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy… Show more

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2003. Show less

This review of research summarises the recent Australian VET research that relates to literacy and… Show more

This review of research summarises the recent Australian VET research that relates to literacy and numeracy issues since 1990. The review concentrates on literacy and numeracy policy initiatives, impact of literacy/numeracy levels on participation in VET, approaches to delivery of literacy and numeracy support, professional development and teacher education. Show less

This study provides detailed information on students who enrolled in enabling courses and examines… Show more

This study provides detailed information on students who enrolled in enabling courses and examines the post-course outcomes for these individuals. It also assesses the effectiveness of enabling courses to assist students to progress to a higher level of education or training or to gain employment following the completion of an enabling course. Show less

The report outlines the major research into literacy and numeracy as related to VET carried out… Show more

The report outlines the major research into literacy and numeracy as related to VET carried out during the 1990s. To do this, it brings together work relevant to the development of notions of literacy and numeracy generally, but focussing on the adult context. It deals with the complexities of the relationships between VET and workplaces and schools as well as the language, literacy, numeracy Show less