š° Adult Literacy News Summary
Success for learners at the Bury Adult Learning Service
26-Jan-2026 - UK
According to the latest figures, 86 per cent of those who completed their learning journey with Bury Adult Learning Service last year declared they had either gone into further education or work. The service, which reached 1,210 learners in the past year, offers a range of daytime and evening courses including English, maths, ESOL, IT and digital skills, and employability training.
Read moreChichester goes āAll Inā for reading, as city joins 2026 National Year of Reading
26-Jan-2026 - UK
Chichesterās Year of Reading is led by charity Childrenās BookFest alongside partners Chichester Festival Theatre and Chichester BID. The campaign aims to bring together the work that many organisations already deliver, creating a joined-up programme of activity through 2026 that supports reading for pleasure, storytelling, literacy confidence and community connection.
Read moreBrownhills singing group hits high note for literacy
26-Jan-2026 - UK
A local community singing group that rose from the ashes of a disbanded choir is proving that friendship and music can change lives. āSinging, Cos We Like Itā has announced a major donation of childrenās books and concert proceeds to the Rotary Books4Home initiative, timed to celebrate the National Year of Reading
Read moreQueen Camilla's reading charity launches major study on how book clubs affect the brain
23-Jan-2026 - UK
The Queen's organisation, which stems from her lifelong love of books, is set to look at the physiological and psychological effects of communal reading. The laboratory-controlled investigation, led by Professor Sam Wass at the University of East London and in partnership with The Bentley Foundation, will look at how the experience of reading in small books transforms lives. The study will build on research conducted by the charity in 2024, which revealed that as little as five minutes of reading fiction can reduce stress by nearly 20 per cent.
Read moreIs listening to an audiobook as good as reading?
21-Jan-2026 - UK
Audiobooks have boomed in popularity in recent years ā the revenue they generated for UK publishers rose by almost a third in 2023-24 ā becoming an increasingly central part of the industry. But do they truly count as āproperā reading? Is listening to a book while doing the dishes, walking the dog or drifting off to sleep really as valuable as sitting down to read it?
Read moreDevon literacy support group calls out for more volunteers
21-Jan-2026 - UK
Read Easy North, East & West Devon, which provides free one-to-one reading coaching for adults, is seeking more volunteers and support to expand its services countywide.Joanna Clarke, fundraiser at Read Easy North, East & West Devon (Read Easy NEW Devon), said costs and demand remain high, with reading coaches currently supporting about 50 adults.
Read more"Peace" and "six-seven" are children's words of 2025
21-Jan-2026 - UK
Children across the UK have voted for "peace" as their Oxford Children's Word of the Year for 2025. More than a third (35%) of the 5,000 children polled by Oxford University Press (OUP) chose it as their word for last year. "Artificial intelligence" came runner-up in the poll for the second year in a row, and was chosen by 33% of children surveyed. The viral "six-seven" trend was "overwhelmingly" chosen as the favourite slang term of the year.
Read moreTop 7 Effective Teaching Methods For Adult Learning
20-Jan-2026 - USA
Adult learning in the United States continues to evolve as colleges, universities, and professional programs adapt to the needs of working professionals, returning learners, and career changers. Unlike traditional education models, adult education emphasizes autonomy, relevance, and practical outcomes. Understanding the most effective teaching methods for adult learning can significantly improve academic success, skill retention, and long-term motivation. Below are the top seven proven teaching methods that support adult learners and align with modern U.S. education standards.
Read moreWarwickshire library-goers are urged to read about what they love in 2026
19-Jan-2026 - UK
Library-goers across Warwickshire are being encouraged to read about what they love most in 2026. Whether people enjoy music, sport, fashion or food, thereās one thing that can take them deeper into what they are passionate about ā reading. Thatās the philosophy behind Warwickshire Librariesā support for the National Year of Reading 2026, a nationwide campaign with the rallying cry āGo All In.ā The goal is to reignite reading for pleasure across the UK by meeting people where their passions already live.
Read moreEstyn praises adult learning in Wrexham and Flintshire
17-Jan-2026 - UK
A new report by Estyn highlights the strength of the North East Wales Adult Community Learning (ACL) partnership, praising its leadership, high-quality teaching and the positive progress made by learners. Estyn is an independent public body funded by the Welsh Government that works to inspect education and training in Wales, to improve the quality of education and training and outcomes for all learners.
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