We want to ensure all learners in foundation-level tertiary education achieve good literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Research shows that foundation-level literacy and numeracy learners have better outcomes when they’re taught by educators with qualifications specialising in teaching literacy and numeracy to adults. Foundation-level literacy and numeracy courses must be provided by appropriately qualified educators, as outlined in our funding mechanisms and funding conditions.

Funds covered

Educators must have the appropriate qualifications for teaching foundation-level literacy and numeracy. We set the minimum qualification requirements if they deliver courses funded under these funds:

• English Language Teaching (ELT) – formally known as Specialised English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (EWLN)
• Intensive Literacy and Numeracy (ILN)
• Workplace Literacy and Numeracy – TEO-led (WLN)

Guidance for DQ1-2 and YG educators

Educators who teach Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2) and Youth Guarantee (YG) funded courses are required to have appropriate qualifications. However, we do not set the qualification requirements for educators who teach courses funded under DQ1-2 and YG.  We encourage TEOs who teach courses under these funds use the below information as a reference when considering potential employees and what qualifications and experience could be considered as appropriately qualified.

Information for educators

We expect all foundation-level educators to:

• have the base-level skills and knowledge required to demonstrate capability literacy and numeracy provision in foundation-level education in a New Zealand context
• be skilled at using our educational resources such as the Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy and the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT)
• be able to effectively meet the needs of all adult learners, particularly Māori and Pacific learners, and
• participate in professional development where possible and show evidence of practice change as a result.

Qualifications required

Educators teaching foundation-level literacy and numeracy need one of the qualifications below.

For EWLN, ILN, and WLN:

• New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (NZCALNE) (Level 5 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)) (including previous versions such as New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy Education (NCALE))
• New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (NZCATT) (Level 4 on the NZQCF), where the programme of learning contains, or is complemented by specific content around the Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy and LNAAT
• any New Zealand adult literacy and numeracy-specific educator qualification at degree or above level (including the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Adult Literacy and Numeracy), the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Language and Literacy Education, and the Masters in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education)
• any New Zealand adult teaching qualification at Level 4 or above on the NZQCF, where additional targeted professional development has been undertaken around the Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy and LNAAT
• any New Zealand children’s or general teaching qualification where additional targeted professional development has been undertaken around teaching adults, the Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy and LNAAT.

For ELT (formally ESOL):

• any qualification listed above, or
• any New Zealand or internationally recognised TESOL qualification where additional targeted professional development has been undertaken around the Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy and LNAAT.

Exemptions for some educators

Any educator who has five or more years of experience in teaching adult literacy and numeracy and has a robust understanding of the Learning Progressions for Adult Literacy and LNAAT, may be exempt from the qualification requirements. We may require evidence of this experience from TEOs. This may include requesting evidence of an educator’s employment history and personal a letter of commendation from a TEO’s Chief Executive commending their educator’s success with learners. 

Information for TEOs

We expect all TEOs to ensure their educators have the base-level skills and knowledge required for educators to demonstrate capability in literacy and numeracy provision in foundation-level education.

Supporting educators to upskill

We recommend TEOs support tutors to complete teaching qualifications and adult literacy and numeracy qualifications, so educators have sufficient qualifications. We support several services and tools that help TEOs and educators improve their literacy and numeracy capability.

We expect all TEOs to invest in continual upskilling and professional development for their workforce and to ensure their tutors:

• have the base-level skills and knowledge required for a professional adult and tertiary teaching practitioner,
• hold appropriate qualifications relevant to the education they deliver, and
• can demonstrate competency in embedding literacy and numeracy.

We will consider the extent to which TEOs have invested in the continual upskilling and professional development of their workforce when making future funding decisions.

Gaining qualifications

Adult literacy and numeracy education qualifications may be gained through TEO-based programmes, or through workplace training programmes.

For educators who may have been hired without the above qualifications prior to our guidelines, we expect providers to work with educators to meet these qualification requirements.

Help with costs of qualifications

The Adult Literacy Educator (ALE) fund is available to help offset the financial costs of completing Level 5 adult literacy and numeracy qualifications.

Adult Literacy Educator Fund

For more information on how this fund may help with the costs of upskilling your educators, please contact our Customer Contact group at customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Recognition or cross-crediting of previous teaching experience

Educators can apply for cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning at TEOs with NZQA programme accreditation. For more information on cross-crediting possibilities for adult literacy and numeracy qualifications, please contact NZQA.