What is the Scottish Government's Vision for Literacies?
The Scottish Government's Literacy Action Plan established an overarching vision for all learners - to raise standards of literacy for all from the early years through to adulthood.
Specifically for adults, the Scottish Government has refreshed its adult literacies strategy, so that by 2020 Scotland's society and economy will be stronger because more of its adults are able to read, write and use numbers effectively in order to handle information, communicate with others, express ideas and opinions, make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners. Adult Literacies 2020: Strategic Guidance is available here. The previous 2001 strategy Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland report (2001) is available here.
Scotland Performs measures and reports on the Scottish Government's progress towards its Purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth.
Progress towards the Purpose is tracked by 7 Purpose Targets and it is supported by 15 National Outcomes - describing the kind of Scotland we want to be - and 45 National Indicators covering key areas of health, justice, environment, economy, and education measure progress. One of the National Indicators relates specifically to adult literacy and numeracy.
How many people in Scotland have low literacy and numeracy skills? 
The Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies (SSAL) 2009 represents the biggest survey of adult literacies levels undertaken in Scotland. The survey measured three dimensions of literacy skills (prose, document and quantitative) for almost 2000 people living in Scotland.
The survey found that:
73.3% of the Scottish working age population have a level of literacies that is recognised internationally as appropriate for a contemporary society;
around one-quarter of the Scottish population (26.7%) may face occasional challenges and constrained opportunities due to their literacies difficulties, but will generally cope with their day-to-day lives; and
within this quarter of the population, 3.6% (one person in 28) face serious challenges in their literacies practices.
SSAL found that one of the key factors linked to lower literacies capabilities is poverty, with adults living in 15% of the most deprived areas in Scotland more likely to have literacies capabilities at the lower end of the scale.
Following on from SSAL 2009 the Scottish Government has produced a 'Literacies, employment and the workplace' paper which provides factual information on literacies in the workplace and outlines the benefits to employers of encouraging their employees to improve their literacies skills
How do I find a nearby literacy or numeracy learning opportunity? 
The Big Plus is the national awareness raising campaign, and adults can find out about learning opportunities by calling the free helpline 0808 100 1080 or through the Big Plus website www.thebigplus.com/
Other sources of information include libraries, community and health centres, local authorities, adult guidance networks, job centres and further education colleges.
Is there a curriculum for adult literacies in Scotland?
Yes. The Adult Literacy and Numeracy Curriculum Framework for Scotland was launched in May 2005. The framework promotes the Scottish approach to adult literacy and numeracy learning and teaching. It provides a broad national framework within which local literacies providers can offer a curriculum to meet particular, rather than general, needs. It addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of the curriculum, helping tutors to develop and reflect on their work with adult literacies learners.
Where can I get the training or qualifications I need to work as an adult literacies tutor?
1. For volunteer/support workers
Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnerships offer introductory training in adult literacies work in each local authority area. This training can lead to a Professional Development Award: Introduction to Tutoring Adult Literacies Learning. For local adult literacies key contacts click here.
2. For tutors to develop numeracy teaching skills 
Tutoring Numeracy in Adult Literacies (SCQF Level 8). This Unit is designed to enable candidates to develop the skills and knowledge required to plan, prepare and deliver numeracy teaching and learning, taking account of the prior knowledge and skills of the learner, their possible previous negative experiences of numeracy, learning activities, teaching and assessment strategies, and available resources.
3. For experienced adult literacies practitioners
The Teaching Qualification: Adult Literacies (TQAL) was developed by a Scottish Consortium led by Strathclyde University. The course is work-based and practice tutors oversee the practice component of the course. There is a substantial online element as well as face to face delivery at four learning centres; Strathclyde, Dundee and Aberdeen University and Forth Valley College (as at November 2010).
For the latest information on professional development go to the Learning and Teaching Scotland website. Click here
What should I do if someone I know is having difficulties with their reading, writing or numbers?
Reassure them that they are not alone. Make sure they are aware that there are learning programmes designed to meet their needs - whether they want to improve their writing, number or reading skills. If necessary, help them to find out what is locally available by phoning the free Big Plus helpline on 0808 100 1080 or visit the website at www.thebigplus.com. Also for local literacies providers click here.
It often takes time to take the first steps back into learning, so do not rush them but give them any encouragement they need. It is never too late to learn.
Why should we support literacy and numeracy?
It is widely recognised that basic literacy and numeracy skills are central to the prosperity and welfare of our society. Scotland needs to improve the skills of those currently at work in order to be able to compete in the world market. But literacy and numeracy affects more than just the country's prosperity and individual job prospects. People need to be literate and numerate in order to participate fully as members of society, as parents, and to lead fulfilling lives. In a time of rapid change, the demands on individual literacy and numeracy skills are likely to increase rather than reduce.
Shouldn't we concentrate on young people, instead of people who have already had their chance to learn?
There are a number of government initiatives with specific performance targets in schools to improve standards of literacy and numeracy. The Literacy Action Plan supports raising standards of literacy from early years through to adulthood. It is crucial that we try to break the generational cycle of poor literacy and numeracy. The role parents or carers play in developing their children is extremely important. From the day a child is born its parents are the key influencers in that child's life. This is also true in terms of health and well-being. Adults need to be able to understand medical instructions to ensure they and their families have the best chance of a healthy life. There is a need nationally to give everyone an opportunity to attain the skills needed to gain, and to progress within, employment. As well as reading, writing and number skills, development of personal, social and IT skills can be just as important when seeking employment or progressing within an organisation.
Where can I get guidance on Workplace literacies?
The Analysis of workplace literacies pilot project reports provides an overview and analysis of eight workplace literacies pilot projects in Scotland that ran from December 2006 to 2008. It reviews the work reported on in these projects in order to consider the models of approach that differentiates between the three main stages of, raising employers' awareness of literacies; identifying the needs of employers and employees; and brokering solutions to the identification of literacies needs. It also highlights effective practice and how it might be replicated, summarises the lessons learnt from the projects and provides key guidance and learning points.
What is International Literacy Day?
UNESCO has designated the 8th September as International Literacy Day. The aim of International Literacy Day is to raise literacy awareness throughout the world. Many international organisations arrange events to coincide with this date.
Useful Links
Learning and Teaching Scotland : the national organisation for practice development in adult literacies. www.ltscotland.org.uk
The Directory: http://www.cld.scotland.gov.uk/pls/cld
The Big Plus: www.thebigplus.org.uk
Adult Literacies Online: http://www.adultliteraciesonline.com
Communities of Practice in Adult Literacies (COPAL): www.copal.org.uk
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO): http://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/
Canadian National Literacy Organisation: http://abclifeliteracy.ca/
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)- Ireland: http://www.nala.ie/
LLU+: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/lluplus/
National Literacy Trust: http://literacytrust.org.uk
National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy: http://www.nrdc.org.uk
National Association of Adult Learning (NIACE): http://www.niace.org.uk
RaPAL, Research and Practice in Adult Literacy: http://www.literacy.lancs.ac.uk/rapal/
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL): http://www.ncsall.net/