Adult literacy provision globally and in Uganda has, over the years, undergone changes because addressing the learning needs of adult learners in a wide range of contexts requires innovative programming. This paper uses the Adult Learning and Education System Building Approach (ALESBA) to analyse the operational environment and institutional…

Studies of the teaching practices used in adult reading programs suggest that these practices often reflect the personal perspectives of teachers on factors that contribute to less-skilled reading development. In this study, 19 adult reading teachers were interviewed to explore their perspectives on how adults become less-skilled readers and the…

The study reported in this paper shed light into the lessons learned using two ICT tools in adult literacy programmes. The research design adopted was a "descriptive" method. Twenty (20) participants were purposively selected in advanced literacy class from two adult literacy centres (10 participants each for computer treatment and…

The purpose of this research was to determine whether music training is correlated with increased reading comprehension skills in young adults. In addition, an attempt was made to replicate Patson and Tippett's (2011) finding that background music impairs language comprehension scores in musicians but not in nonmusicians. Participants with musical…

Literacy problems are highly prevalent and can persist into adulthood. Yet, the majority of research on the predictive nature of cognitive skills to literacy has primarily focused on development and adolescent populations. The aim of the present study was to extend existing research to investigate the roles of IQ scores and Working Memory…

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…

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of activity with an educational electronic book (e-book), as compared with adult reading of the printed version of the same book, on the vocabulary, phonological awareness as well as concept about print of preschool children at risk for learning disabilities. The study involved the…

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…

This study investigates the provision of a clinical social worker (CSW) in an adult literacy agency and focuses upon the impact on the learners, tutors, and organization. We conducted interviews with agency personnel, the CSW, a sample of learners, and a funding representative. Then we undertook inductive thematic analysis of the data. The results…

Historically, letter reading and writing have been pervasive across human societies, cultures, and communities (Barton & Hall, 2000). Like all literate activities, it derives its meaning and significance from how it is situated within cultural beliefs, values, and practices. Despite its prevalence, however, little is known about the meanings…

Literacy has become an important predictor of well being in old age. Being literate in today's society demands a myriad of functional abilities, which, when absent, can have dramatic health, economic, and social consequences. The purpose of this study was to develop a framework for defining literacy within an increasingly technological society,…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether students having different primary representational systems would make similar gains in an individualized developmental reading program at a large junior college. None of the primary mode groups (auditory, visual, kinesetic) seemed to enjoy an advantage in terms of vocabulary or comprehension…

Traces the progress of a beginning adult reader along the literacy continuum shown by child readers. Provides suggestions for teaching reading and writing to beginners which build on a learner's personal experiences and knowledge of language. (ARH)

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)

In workplace reading classes, employees practiced self-monitoring, use of background knowledge, identification of the purpose of reading, work-related vocabulary, and concept mapping. A survey one year later showed most were still using self-monitoring, prior knowledge, purpose of reading, and critical vocabulary on the job. (SK)