According to Adult Learning Australia, 44 per cent of Australian Adults don’t have adequate reading or writing skills for everyday life.
Australian actor and former rugby league player Ian Roberts made headlines when he confessed, he only properly learned to read at the age of 36 years-old.
Just like his story, there are many Australians in our community who have similar difficulties in reading and wish to learn how to upskill and Julia Haldoupis is the person to help that.
“It’s a program that helps improve reading, a lot of people left school young to work, a lot of them couldn’t read properly.”
Retired Taxi driver Julia Haldoupis of Camillo, helps support adults on how to read better through the Read Write Now program.
Many young Australians missed out on learning how to read and write whether they were Australian born and raised or not, expressed Ms Haldoupis.
“Some are born in Australia and from here and they still have difficulties,” she said
“I get them to read aloud, and I get them some exercises to do, each lesson is different.”
Read Write Now Manager Richard West, believes the program acts as a way to facilitate the pupil to give them an extra edge in the job market or where every they want to put their skill.
“One-on-one tutoring can expect significant improvements in their literacy and numeracy skills. The personalised, tailored approach helps address specific learning gaps and builds confidence.”
“They also gain the ability to support their children’s education and participate more fully in community activities,” he said.
Ms Haldoupis touches on journey as she came across the opportunity to assist adults on how to read.
“I saw pamphlet on the noticed board down by the shopping centre where I am at.”
“I loved reading, I always loved reading”, she said.
Adults want to feel independent and should feel that they can live freely and handle their own everyday life things. This a true testament to the experiences Ms Haldoupis has learnt from her pupils.
“They don’t want to rely on family and friends to write things out or to read things to them, they want to be able to do it for themselves.”
