Reading

A new and exciting range of part-time adult learning courses is now on offer at Reading Central Library.

New Directions, Reading Borough Council’s learning and employment service, relocated its Central Reading Centre to the Central Library at the start of the New Year.

The new Reading centre offers a wide selection of part-time language and computer courses along with free employment support facilities and services.

Reading People hoping to head for the sun this summer can take advantage of the new language for holiday courses in French, Italian and Spanish.

These courses will concentrate on the kind of language holidaymakers will need for greeting people, using the currency, buying food and drink and finding their way around.

Those looking to build on their language skills in French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish, can enrol on an improvers or an advanced course.

New Directions will be running three short language and culture courses for adults during February. Workshops include, A Taste of Italy, Chateaux of Normandy and Gardens of the French Riviera.

For those looking to develop their computer skills and confidence using the Internet, email and MS Office applications, they can enrol on flexible Reading roll-on roll-off courses.

Courses include First Steps in IT for Complete Beginners, ICT Foundation Tier, European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and Advanced ECDL.

New Directions computer courses and workshops are suitable for both complete beginners who are feeling left behind by information technology and those who wish to gain a qualification well regarded by employers.

Jon Hartley, Lead Councillor for Reading Education and Lifelong Learning said; "This is a great time of the year to learn a new skill or explore a new hobby. I would encourage local residents to explore all the opportunities and sign up to a course at New Directions and give adult learning a go."

New Directions has a total of four centres across Reading, providing a wide range of courses for work, leisure and life and free employment and job search facilities for those looking for a new job.

To request a free copy of the New Directions Course Guide for Leisure and Life call 0345 845 0012

Reading Borough Council