The Nova Scotia Literacy Practitioner Training and Certification Program (NSSAL)
To register, complete the form and click the 'submit' button at the bottom.

If you have questions, contact the registrar, Marie David, by email at marie.david@literacyns.ca 

As an added benefit, Practitioner Training registrants will also receive Literacy Nova Scotia’s eNews.

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Registrant's First Name *
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Your Date of Birth *
Please use this format: Day / Month / Year  (example: 16/01/1975)
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Are you or your organization a current LNS member? *
You or your organization MUST be a current member of LNS to be eligible for free training. Sign up for LNS membership.
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Do you currently work with an adult learner? *
How experienced are you with teaching adults? *
Do you have experience in lesson planning and delivery? *
Do you want to earn certification? *
Please select your schedule of modules for 2026 - 2027. To earn certification, participants are required to take six (6) modules.
Registrants can choose to take a single module, all eleven or the six required for certification.

To receive certification, practitioners must successfully complete a practicum plus six modules, as follows:

  1. ALL of these four modules:
    • Literacy, Adult Learners, and You!
    • What’s Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner
    • Integrating Information Technology (IT) Skills Into Your Teaching
    • Supporting the Mi'kmaw Adult Learner

  2. ONE of these three communications modules:
    • The Beginning Reader: Basics
    • Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing and Spelling
    • Communications: Learners in Transition

  3. ONE of these two math modules:
    • Teaching Math: Basic Principles
    • Teaching Math: Keeping It Real
Orientation: Getting Started Online

*We strongly encourage all practitioners enrolled in the Certification Program to register for this orientation.  

Stepping into a new professional chapter is exciting, and you don't have to navigate it alone. To help you along your journey, we're hosting a virtual Orientation Zoom Session during Prep Week. This is the perfect opportunity to connect and start your training with confidence. Keep an eye on your inbox for the date, time, and Zoom link. 

During the session, you will:

  • Build a Community of Practice: Connect with peers who share your passion and goals and who will be part of your learning journey throughout the program.
  • Get Support from the Start: Learn about the resources and supports available to help you succeed from day one.
  • Discover the Program: Explore the Practitioner Training Program and gain a clear understanding of what to expect.
  • Meet the PT Team: Get to know the people who will be guiding and supporting you throughout your training.
  • Hear from Alumni: Learn from past participants as they share their experiences, insights, and advice.
  • Get Your Questions Answered: Take part in a dedicated Q&A session and leave with the information you need to feel prepared.
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To earn certification, participants are required to take these four modules:
Literacy, Adult Learners and You!*
*This module is a prerequisite for practitioners with no prior teaching experience, and for those who wish to take 'Supporting English as an Additional Language Adult Literacy Learners (EAL ALLs)' and 'Supporting the Mi'kmaw Adult Learner.'  

Who are the adults who come back to school to do the basics? You’ll meet some in print, in video and in person. You’ll broaden your knowledge of the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning, and the programs and resources it offers, as well as taking a look at adult literacy through the lens of Literacy Nova Scotia.
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What’s Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner
Relationships with learners are carried on in complex situations—often in public, each of you with assumptions and expectations, and both of you pressured by time and the need to cover content. You will look at some common scenarios that happen between adult learners and instructors and tutors. You will also learn some techniques you can use to make your relationships with learners less difficult, so you can do what you really came for—teaching and learning.
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Integrating IT Skills Into Your Teaching
There is more variety now in teaching reading and math because of the resources you’ll find on the internet, and because of new computer programs designed to help learners with the subjects. You may be very new to this technology or an old hand, but you’ll find a richness of resources in this module, and a chance to think about some of the issues that come with the technology.
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Supporting the Mi'kmaw Adult Learner*
*PT participants with no prior experience teaching adult learners must take 'Literacy, Adult Learners, and You!' before registering for this module.

In this module you will navigate your own views and knowledge systems related to the first people of Nova Scotia, The Mi’kmaq. You will first be guided through personal development activities and reflections that may challenge your understanding of privilege, prejudice, and unconscious bias. This will help you create more inclusive spaces for not only adult Mi’kmaw learners but for all learners. You will then explore how to better support Mi’kmaw adult learners by being an active ally. What does creating a safe space for Mi’kmaw adult learners look like? How can you better understand their needs to ensure a successful learning experience for them? What strategies can you identify to effectively support teaching adult Mi’kmaq learners? 
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To earn certification, participants are required to take at least one of the following three communications modules:
The Beginning Reader: Basics
This module is recommended for practitioners working with learners in Levels I and II. videos of tutors and instructors working with beginning readers are used to illustrate some of the principles of teaching the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, with an emphasis on using those skills in a real-life situation.
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Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing, and Spelling
This module is recommended for practitioners working with learners in Levels I and II.  How do we teach these basic skills? How do we “mark” learner writing? How can we improve skills and self confidence at the same time? Some very specific techniques and strategies are introduced in this module to get you started, or to supplement the work you already do.
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Communications: Learners in Transition
This module is recommended for practitioners working with learners in Levels II and III who are planning to go on to higher levels of the adult learning program or to take the GED.  The learner who is making a transition to further education or training must apply the communications skills s/he has learned to more academic, abstract and complex reading material and writing assignments.
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To earn certification, participants are required to take at least one of the following two math modules:
Teaching Math: Basic Principles
What’s current in teaching basic math to adult learners? How can I help learners develop the ability to do mental math? How can I help them remember facts and processes automatically? How can I deal with learner resistance? This module uses content from Levels I – III and the GED to illustrate some techniques and strategies for teaching, using manipulatives, games, models, diagrams, and print and internet resources.
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Teaching Math: Keeping It Real
What’s current in teaching basic math to adult learners? How can I help learners develop the ability to do mental math? How can I deal with learner resistance? This module uses content from Levels I – III and the GED to illustrate techniques and strategies for teaching, using manipulatives, games, models, diagrams, and print/internet resources.
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Additional Modules
Learning Challenges
Learners in the Adult Learning Program face many challenges—learning difficulties, experiences of violence or trauma, physical and mental health issues, lack of money, family responsibilities… Our focus in this module is on how practitioners can teach so that learners can deal with the challenges and achieve their educational goals.
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Supporting English as an Additional Language Adult Literacy Learners (EAL ALLs)*
*PT participants who have no prior teaching experience must take the module 'Literacy Adult Learners and You' before registering for this module. 

How do we teach learners with low literacy skills who are also learning English? This module introduces some of the basic needs of EAL ALLs, best practices, how to do needs assessments, how to plan lessons using appropriate techniques and approaches, how to observe and give feedback to learners, and how to adjust future instruction to meet the needs of EAL ALLs.  
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Modules Currently in Development
Pilot Module 1

Historical Context of the Mi’kmaw Adult Learner and Trauma Informed Pedagogy  

You may register your interest in participating in the pilot of this new training module.
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Pilot Module 2

Mi’kmaw Community: Kinship, Traditions, and Spirituality  

You may register your interest in participating in the pilot of this new training module.
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Thank you for completing your registration form.
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