📰 Adult Literacy News Summary
Is listening to an audiobook as good as reading?
21-Jan-2026 - UK
Audiobooks have boomed in popularity in recent years – the revenue they generated for UK publishers rose by almost a third in 2023-24 – becoming an increasingly central part of the industry. But do they truly count as “proper” 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 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, there’s one thing that can take them deeper into what they are passionate about – reading. That’s the philosophy behind Warwickshire Libraries’ support for the National Year of Reading 2026, a nationwide campaign with the rallying cry ‘Go All In.’ 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.
Read morePupils join Winter Reading Challenge at Colchester Library
16-Jan-2026 - UK
YEAR 6 children visited the newly-refurbished Colchester Library to start their Winter Reading Challenge. Pupils from St Thomas More’s Catholic Primary School took part in reading activities organised by library stuff, browsed a range of books and made artwork inspired by their book choices
Read moreConcerns over future of scheme giving free books to babies
15-Jan-2026 - UK
A scheme which has provided free books for newborns for a quarter of a century will be saved in the short term, the Welsh government has said. BookTrust Cymru, which runs programmes aimed at helping parents to read with babies and toddlers, says a decision to stop the direct grant risked leaving the poorest families without support.
Read moreAdults needing help learning to read offered support from Shropshire group
15-Jan-2026 - UK
Read Easy Telford and Shropshire East offers free, confidential, one-to-one coaching for adults who want to learn to read or improve their reading skills. Since 2019, volunteers in Shropshire have been supporting adults so they can feel more confident and independent, being able to read letters, complete forms, apply for jobs, send a text, read a new recipe, bus timetable or prescription.
Read moreAdult learning courses for people across North Yorkshire
15-Jan-2026 - UK
Thousands of people across North Yorkshire are taking advantage of a diverse range of adult learning courses, building new skills, boosting their confidence and opening the door to fresh careers.
Read moreNational Year of Reading 2026: How to get involved as Leeds Libraries unveils city-wide celebrations
14-Jan-2026 - UK
With 37 libraries and community hubs across the city, Leeds Libraries has revealed a packed calendar of events designed to bring the city together through the power of storytelling. From a three-week storytelling festival that illuminates the city’s streets to a fantastical journey into outer space at the Central Library, the 2026 program offers something for every generation.
Read more