This presentation reports on a study into literacy learning needs and teaching strategies in three Introduction to Communication Studies classes on a Bridging Programme.

This presentation will focus on the benefits of identifying literacy learning needs and putting in place teaching and learning strategies for literacy over three classes being run within the Introduction to Communication course on a Foundation / Bridging Programme. The literacy assistance provided in the classes is continually being developed, and this year has seen many improvements in students’ results. The goal of this Introductory course is for students to have reached entry level for the Communications 1 course.

These students are from many different backgrounds, and have enrolled on this second-chance programme to further their education and to reach their goals in either employment or further tertiary study. Our research is based on the experience of developing, and putting in place, strategies and resources for students who have been identified as having literacy barriers. Using this approach, we are able to assist students in their achievement of goals.

The development and use of these strategies and resources has led to new initiatives, one of which is the approval to set up a ‘free’ literacy course. This will increase the literacy levels for non-traditional tertiary students, some of whom will move onto the Introduction to Communication course.