Learning Media – Te Pou Taki Kōrero

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Collections is a series of books and accompanying CDs that support literacy learning and enjoyment of reading for adult learners.

The brief

The Tertiary Education Commission developed The Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy, which describe the steps in learners progress in literacy. To support learners at lower levels of the progressions, we were to develop a series of books, containing stories and articles on topics relevant to adult learners.

Our solution

Collections encompasses a broad array of topics – including New Zealand during war time, inspirational New Zealanders, environmental issues, and unusual workplaces – and uses diverse text forms and text types, including a graphic novel, a description of a day in the life, and interviews. Through our editing and design, we balanced an uncluttered layout with engaging content. The photographs and illustrations are both supportive and striking. All of these elements support adult readers to develop effective reading skills and strategies, and to grow their enjoyment of reading.

Each book is accompanied by a CD which includes a PDF of the book, educator support material, and audio versions of each text to support increased confidence, independence, and engagement with reading. Educator support materials and audio versions of the texts can also be downloaded from Literacy and Numeracy for Adults.