Abstract
A new publication from the Reading Writing Hotline has been released that explores how to best engage new learners in adult literacy. In this webinar, Lindy Cassidy (project manager) and Jo Medlin (literature review author) will present the findings of the paper that forms the first part of a broader research project.
What we know: Across Australia there are adults experiencing literacy challenges who may wish to engage in literacy education but face multiple systemic barriers that prevent access.
What we found out: The conclusion that emerges from this literature review is that literacy outreach approaches can overcome multiple barriers and successfully link potential learners to appropriate education services.

In this webinar you will hear more about:

• What we know about potential literacy learners
• Barriers to participation
• Why adults engage in literacy learning
• Approaches that work
• 7 key strategies to increase learner numbers

To read the paper go to publications and open:  Medlin, J. (2025). Engaging adult literacy learners: A literature review. Reading Writing Hotline.

Bios
Lindy Cassidy is the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Reading Writing Hotline and has extensive experience in outreach education in curriculum, policy and project development. Lindy has worked in both the New Zealand and Australian public sectors, as well as in TAFE and university settings.

Jo Medlin is the current president of ACAL and an Associate Lecturer in Adult Vocational Education at Charles Sturt University. For this literature review she drew on over 80 sources to summarise the current understanding of adult literacy learners and to understand what works to attract them to formal literacy learning contexts. In the next part of the project,  practitioners and learners are being interviewed to provide information on current successful Australian practices for reaching new learners. It is hoped that the project will provide the field with practical strategies to increase their participant numbers.