Roundtable discussion: Are words holding you back?
We recently commissioned a national survey with Australian adults to see how they rated their literacy skills. We know from talking to people in education and in workplaces that adult literacy is an area where improvements need to happen. We decided to find out the scale of the issue. Think of it as a report card for the nation.
What’s the session about?
Our panel approaches this topic from a variety of perspectives - as educators, parents, and as individuals. The issue of literacy struggles can impact people in a wide range of ways.
Our panel members share their experiences both personally and professionally. It can be an emotional topic as you’ll see.
This discussion forms part of our literacy campaign - Words can’t hold us back. Through this campaign, we want to help break the stigma of literacy struggles. We want to take away the shame and embarrassment, and make sure that everyone gets the support they need to succeed.
We take a look at the key findings from our survey report, you’ll find a link to get a copy below. We chat about the role that technology plays and we look at how you can get support for yourself or your children.
There’s a resources page on our website that goes along with this discussion. We have resources for parents, educators, and the research report with the survey results - all of which you can download for free.
Research Report
'Words cant hold us back' resources
Read&Write for Education
Read&Write for Work
Meet our panel of speakers
Greg O’Connor
Greg has been actively involved in education for over 30 years. During this time he has worked as a classroom teacher, school executive, inclusion consultant, regional manager with an education authority, and as a technology consultant.
As Texthelp's Head of Education for Asiapac based in Australia, he helps to make sure that the over a million users of Texthelp products across the Asia Pacific Region get the most out of this technology.
El’ise Bothe
A former contestant on The Block home renovation show, El'ise has dyslexia as do two of her three children and her mother.
She has spoken openly about being diagnosed with dyslexia later in life and feels strongly about getting young people the support they need.
Brett Salakas
Brett is an educator, an international keynote speaker, an author, the founder of #aussieED and the co-founder of both the ED Poets Society and #TheWalkingED.
With over 20 years of experience as a Primary School teacher in South East Asia and Australia, he has a passion for seeing education across Australia step towards a more inclusive and supportive space.
Jacinta Keenan
Jacinta is a teacher and Education Systems Specialist currently working at St John's Catholic School, Richmond.
She teaches in a 1/2 classroom as well as 1 day a week supporting all Catholic Schools as an Education Systems Specialist. Her key role is in supporting teachers to use technology in the classroom to bridge the gap between home and school.