Theresa’s story.

My Journey along the Adult Education Path

My name is Teresa and I would like to share my story with you. I returned home to Arklow having lived in England for over twenty four years where I had been working. I was offered a position as a home help with the local HSE Homecare Services and I took it. Unfortunately, I left school at the age of fourteen with very poor skills; in fact, I had no confidence in my reading and writing. I decided to get help from the Adult Basic Education Service as I knew that I needed to improve my skills if I was to keep my job as a home help.

The very first day that I walked up the stairs in the Further Education and Training Centre, is one I will never forget. I had butterflies in my stomach and I felt physically sick but I needn’t have worried. One to one classes were organised for me and after a short while, I was reading books and my spelling improved a lot. But, I was still nervous about reading in front of people, writing or giving my opinion on anything. I was encouraged and supported and the tutor made me realise that I had a lot of life experience to bring to the classes and she worked with this.

Sometime later I was asked to join a small group and I said “No!” because I was embarrassed but eventually I decided to give it a go. It was the best thing that ever happened to me! I worked hard and got a full award at QQI level 3. I then went on to do Communications and Information Technology at level 4, made great friends and had great fun along the way.

I then did the level 5 Healthcare Course which was a requirement in order to continue working as a home help and I knew this would benefit me greatly in my job. I was quite nervous and anxious about taking that higher step but I rose to the challenge and achieved my full level 5 award in Healthcare Support. Looking back over the years, I have to say that I received great support and encouragement and gained a lot of confidence because of the way they taught us all in the group.

From the first day that I started to the finish, they never made me feel that I couldn’t achieve. They always made me feel that I would do anything that I wanted to do and I have now reached where I want to be. I would recommend returning to education to anyone who is an early school leaver or just has a bit of difficulty with their reading or writing. It will open up so many possibilities for you and you will never look back!

 

3 Months working from home……

In the beginning it was very difficult to cope with not having help with the work. But only for Patricia (my tutor) helping myself with getting ready for it beforehand made it less of a chore to do when the time came. When I had to start at home it was hard. I got a bit stressed and Anxious about it. But as time went on it got really easy and exciting to do online. But the only problem I still have with it is the Internet comes and goes from time to time and makes it hard to see the tutor and my classmates. But at the same time it’s helping me for when I get a job because I might have to work from home. I have had some up and down time with it but I enjoyed doing it.

ABE students’ experiences and comments of tuition during Covid-19 restrictions

As a person who had no knowledge of computers before starting this course, I have found it extremely interesting and a great benefit to me since  Covid -19.

 From not been able to turn on a computer, I am now able to

  • Access the internet for information.

  • Tax my car tax on line.

  • Do my grocery shopping on line.

  • Send and receive information.

  • E-mails

  • Use Google for news and knowledge.

  • Video call for real time communication for class tutoring.

Not been able to go out to the shops or hospital appointments now, due to Covit-19 and my husband’s low immunity and disability. I am now able to connect by video link for hospital appointments which is very important.

If I wasn’t doing this course I would not have been be able to do any of these important things on the computer.

To be able to do all this now while living in the country and in lockdown has been a life saver as I can now connect with other people.

It's a great way for connecting with people and learning new information. This course had given me more confidence also.

I want to be able to continue learning more about computers as our tutor Denise explains everything very clearly and is so helpful, makes learning interesting easier and explains things very clearly. (Very patient) I look forward to the computer course each week.