In Pakistan, adult literacy programs are designed to empower individuals for personal, familial, and societal development; however, these programs continue to struggle with persistently low participation rates. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach to explore the underlying factors contributing to this issue. Forty-five participants,…

The rate of student departure from adult literacy programs is as high as 80% within the first 12 months (Porter, Cuban, & Comings, 2005). An examination of the literature reveals two perspectives concerning learner persistence: a "control perspective" and an "acknowledgement and accommodation perspective." The control…

Understanding the origins of poor literacy and numeracy skills in adulthood and how to improve them is of major importance when society places a high premium on proficiency in these basic skills. This edited collection brings together the results of recent longitudinal studies that greatly extend our knowledge of what works in raising skill…

The purpose of this study was to assess the role that phonological, orthographic, and contextual sources of information play in a group of adults who were learning to read compared to adult skilled readers. Participants read short paragraphs that contained a correct homophone, an incorrect homophone, or a spelling control. Target words were…

Reports on a survey of adult literacy programs in the United States, focussing on the issues of student recruitment and retention. Suggests that personal sources are better than non-personal for recruitment, and that extrinsic motivation and a pleasant social environment are factors that can prevent attrition. (ARH)

Presents a critical review of the research on the effectiveness of adult literacy programs. Suggests that the methods used in current literacy programs offer students little chance of significant improvement. (ARH)

Thirty bibliographies of easy reading materials appropriate for adults are presented with full bibliographic information and a brief annotation. (SJ)

Examines assumptions (such as "every adult can read to some extent" and "adult students will be well motivated") held by a veteran high school social studies teacher before he began teaching adults how to read. Discusses how some of the assumptions were valid, some invalid, and others partly valid. (RS)

Explores causes of adult illiteracy and examines the effectiveness of adult literacy programs. (MM)

Discusses the language experience approach (LEA) to teaching adults to read. LEA capitalizes on the adult's rich experience and advanced learning and speaking skills. (JOW)

This document begins with an article about teaching the adult learner. The materials for adult basic education which follow have been classified into the following categories: communication skills, English as a second language, computation skills, life coping skills, and testing. Comprehensive systems is an additional category to include those…

Discusses a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Initial Teaching Alphabet as a medium for remedial teaching of those who were behind in reading ability by five grades or more. (JOW)

The Christian Literacy Series includes a prereading program and four books of lessons with teachers' manuals. Despite the size of the text and the need for special tutor training, the series has a unique approach that includes Biblical narrative and scriptural content in lessons and is appropriate for adults, children, or family literacy. (SK)

This guidebook offers tips to those who guide people who want to learn to read and write. It is structured in three volumes, each accompanying a separate videotape. The three videotapes are 120 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes in length, respectively. The guidebook has four goals: (1) help those who guide learners to understand how the learner…