County Cork Vocational Education Committee

The Adult Basic Education Service offers one-to-one and small group tuition in reading, writing and maths to adults with a basic skills need in 19 centres throughout County Cork.

• You can learn on your own with a tutor or in a small group.
• You can learn at your own pace, at a time that suits you.
• Tuition is centred on the learners needs.
• Tuition is provided in a relaxed, friendly environment.
• The service is confidential
• The service is free.
• Certification is available.

“Literacy involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and using everyday technology to communicate and handle information. It includes more than the technical skills of communication (reading,writing and spelling): it also has personal, social and economic dimensions. Literacy increases the opportunity for individuals and communities to reflect on their situation, explore new possibilities and initiate change.” (NALA)

Programmes Offered by the Adult Basic Education Service:

One-to-one Tuition

Personalised, individual tuition is provided by a trained volunteer tutor. Tuition is available with reading, writing, spelling, number skills, form filling, letter writing etc. The tutor and student usually meet once per week.

Group Tuition

There are a range of group classes provided including spelling, English/communications, computers, maths, and personal development. Class sizes average 5 per group.

Intensive Tuition for Adult Basic Education (ITABE)

This is an intensive programme is offered on the basis of 6 hours (delivered in two or three sessions per week) for 14 weeks. The course covers listening, speaking, reading, writing and number skills.

Workplace Learning Opportunities

Return to Learning

This programme is provided for Local Authority workers in partnership with Cork County Council. These workers get time off work to get basic tuition in Maths, Communications and Computers.

Skills for Work

This programme is provided in partnership with FÁS and provides tuition in communications, basic computers and everyday maths to employees in various workplaces.

FÁS Return to Education Programme

This course is provided in partnership with FÁS for participants on Community Employment schemes. Participants are released from their schemes to attend classes for 6 hours per week

Family Learning

This is a programme for the parents and carers of young children. It recognises the parent as the primary educator of their children and shows them how to help their children to learn in a fun way.

English for Speakers of Other Languages

English language classes are provided for non-Irish nationals. The course is designed for those with a basic level of English only and runs for 20 hours.

Adult Basic Education Service Contacts

North Cork including: Mallow, Charleville, Millstreet, Kanturk and Mitchelstown

East Cork including: Fermoy, Youghal, Midleton and Cobh

Mid- Cork including: Dunmanway, Macroom, Kinsale, Ballincollig and Carrigaline

West Cork including: Skibbereen, Bandon, Clonakilty, Schull, Bantry and Castletownbere