About these courses

The first steps to education courses aim to provide learners with the skills and confidence in the important areas of literacy and numeracy. The courses are designed to support you and make you feel empowered to learn and to progress at your own pace. This programme is targeted at early school leavers and people new to English and Irish languages.

Skills 4 Life – Thursdays 09:45 – 12:15

This programme is open to all and will provide a great foundation of vital life skills for all ages and stages of life. This course will cover 3 NALA Programmes alongside other relevant content based on learner needs over one year:

• Well Now – a literacy friendly health and wellbeing programme.
• Facts Matter – a literacy friendly programme for building critical thinking, media (TV, Advertising, News) literacy and digital literacy.
• Making Cents – a literacy friendly programme that aims to empower learners to make informed decisions when it comes to finances.

Digital literacy skills are embedded into the programme. Learners are also encouraged and supported to progress into additional Back to Education programmes or Wellbeing courses in An Cosán and are facilitated to get involved in the organising of community events locally. The programme support learners to progress onto and achieve accreditation on the QQI framework using NALA’s online learning, which allows learners to access to NQF at both Level 2 and 3.

English for Beginners – Wednesday 09:45 – 12.15

This programme is open to leaners who want to learn basic English. ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) classes support newcomers to West Tallaght to access adult community education opportunities and play a positive role in their communities. English language skills increase self-confidence and provides employment opportunities. Digital literacy building is embedded into each class. Learners can progress onto Intermediate Level ESOL and other adult or wellbeing community education programmes in An Cosán.

English for Improvers – Community & Culture – Friday 09:45 – 12:15

This English language skills course is designed for migrants/refugees who want to improve their English and support their integration to the community. The course uses materials that represent the multiculturalism of our communities through authentic voices, and through activities focussed on identity, intercultural awareness and critical thinking. The course will also look at readying the learners for the Irish workplace, discover their career path, along with helping learners to advocate for their family’s needs so that they can access supports and services effectively.

The delivery would be divided into three parts:

• Identity, culture and social justice
• Everyday life and self-advocacy
• Preparing for Work

Cúpla Focal (introduction to Irish) – Tuesdays 18:30 – 20:30

This Irish language programme is open to all and gives learners the opportunity to brush up on their basic ‘school’ Irish. Learners can explore the Irish language and culture through song, poems music and dance, to become more confident in their spoken Irish. This class is ideal for parents whose children attend local Irish schools.