Basic Skills (Adult Literacy and Numeracy - ALAN / Skills for Life)
ASDAN ALAN (Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy at Levels 1 and 2) qualifications have had their accreditation approval extended until 2012, with final certification August 2014.
What are Basic Skills?
Basic Skills are qualifications designed to help learners improve their literacy, language and numeracy skills and are available from ASDAN at Levels 1 and 2. They are Skills for Life and include Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy (sometimes known as ALAN).
The Basic Skills of Literacy and Numeracy test technical knowledge and understanding, whereas Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number also test their application.
These qualifications can be used to give recognition for the knowledge and skills developed through many of the practical activities that schools, colleges, training providers and others already offer. They can give formal qualification status for skills developed through a range of programmes.
Who are they for?
Pre- and Post-16 students, and adults.
Assessment
As an approved awarding body, ASDAN offers the following Basic Skills:
- ASDAN Level 1 Certificate in Adult Literacy
- ASDAN Level 2 Certificate in Adult Literacy
- ASDAN Level 1 Certificate in Adult Numeracy
- ASDAN Level 2 Certificate in Adult Numeracy
These are fully fundable by the Learning and Skills Council under Sections 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.
The Basic Skills of Literacy and Numeracy are assessed by nationally set tests, each featuring up to 40 multiple-choice questions. These are now available online from ASDAN - click here for more information on eAssessment.
Status
Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy are worth 12.5 points each at Level 1 and 23 points each at Level 2, equivalent to half a GCSE. Therefore, a student achieving AL and AN at Level 2 will gain a qualification worth 46 points on the School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables, equivalent to a Grade B at GCSE.
For further information on ASDAN qualifications and performance points, click here.
Materials and Resources
The National Standards for Adult Literacy and Numeracy can be accessed from the QCDA website: http://www.qcda.gov.uk/qualifications/6136.aspx
In addition, there are Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum documents to assist the development of these skills. Copies of these publications can be obtained from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills: see http://rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/readwriteplus/Curriculum_documents.
ASDAN has developed a number of resources and mapping documents to help embed Literacy and Numeracy within other ASDAN qualifications and programmes. Literacy mapping has been undertaken with the Certificate in Community Volunteering and a comprehensive resource pack is available on CD-ROM. The Entry Level Certificate in Life Skills includes mapping to Literacy, while Literacy and Numeracy documents have been produced to assist in the delivery of the pre-Entry curriculum, for students undertaking programmes such as Towards Independence.
FAQ
Q: How much does this ASDAN qualification cost?
A: Click here to access the costs page, which features information about registration costs for ASDAN Qualifications. Please also take into account the annual centre registration fee, if your centre is not yet registered with ASDAN.
The candidate registration fee for each ALAN qualification covers registration for three years, at either Level 1 or Level 2, with access to one external assessment test and certification, as well as re-sits (if the test is taken online). There are no limits on the number of re-sits a candidate may take.
Q: How can my centre start running Basic Skills?
A: If you are not yet registered with ASDAN, your first step is to complete an Application for Centre Registration Form.
Current ASDAN centres need to ensure that Basic Skills are added to their centre's registration. To do this, please complete an Additional Networks Registration Form.
Following registration, you will be able to access additional resources and guidance via the secure area of the ASDAN website.
ASDAN offers Basic Skills/Adult Literacy and Numeracy tests at Levels 1 and 2 online. Click here to visit the eAssessment page to find out more and register your interest.
Secure Area for registered centres
Once your centre is registered with ASDAN for Basic Skills, you can access further information and resources via the website's Secure Area.
It contains all relevant updates, essential documents, meeting information and resources and enables you to:
- Download resources, including forms, guidance and sample test papers
- Register your candidate numbers and names
- Purchase materials from the online ASDAN catalogue
- Check the list of candidates registered from your centre
There is no limit to the number of people from a centre who can register for a Secure Area password. You can register for a password online, by clicking here to access the request form.