The confidence to write

One of the biggest misconceptions about literacy support is that progress takes years before you see any real change.

Recently, I worked with an adult learner who arrived convinced that writing simply wasn't one of their strengths. Like many adults, they had spent years working around difficulties with spelling and writing rather than addressing them directly.

What surprised them most wasn't just how quickly their spelling improved - it was how quickly their confidence improved.

After just three lessons, they were writing scripts for TikTok videos.

Now, that might not sound remarkable at first. After all, TikTok videos are short.

But for someone who had spent years doubting their ability to write, creating a script from scratch, organising ideas, choosing the right words and spelling them correctly represented a huge shift.

The key wasn't endless worksheets or repetitive exercises. Instead, we focused on reading pieces of interest, writing for a real purpose and determination.

The learner wanted to create change for themselves. They had ideas worth sharing and dreams to achieve. Suddenly, spelling and writing were no longer abstract school skills; they became tools that helped them communicate with an audience.

We explored practical spelling strategies, used technology to support learning, and worked with content that genuinely interested them.

The result was not perfect but it represented progress.

More importantly, it was proof that they could do something they had previously believed was beyond them.

This is something I see regularly when working with adults. The challenge is rarely intelligence or ability. More often, it is confidence, past experiences, and years of believing that learning isn't for them.

When learning is relevant, personalised and built around individual strengths, progress can happen surprisingly quickly.

Sometimes all it takes is a few lessons, the right support, and someone who believes in you until you begin to believe in yourself.

Thank you JM for allowing me to post your work - as I keep saying to you, you are inspirational.