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,…

Reading teachers, who are often drafted as English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instructors, need to redefine their approach to reading instruction. In the ESL curriculum reading is often secondary, and the teacher must take into account such considerations as ESL students' culture and literacy level in their native languages. (SK)

Though adult students have rich and varied backgrounds which enhance their reading, too often teaching methods have focused on the print on the page rather than the ideas presented. There is a range of strategies for teaching reading comprehension which is applicable to any material. (JOW)

Reviews the literature dealing with ways of improving the effectiveness of adult basic education reading instruction in the areas of teacher training, teaching styles, instructional methods and materials, and adult learning patterns. Discusses the implications of the studies cited. (AYC)

A basic consideration in selecting teachers of adult nonreaders should be the characteristics of the adult nonreader. While training and experience are essential, the most desirable characteristics of the effective teacher do not necessarily require degrees, certificates, or coursework. An awareness of the adult nonreader's attitudes,…

The book contains 15 papers focusing on adult illiteracy in Great Britain in the context of the community, but excluding the prison population, trainees at Adult Training Centres, patients in mental hospitals, or literacy education in the armed forces. The papers are presented in three sections. Part 1 on students contains six papers: "The…

The Jefferson County (Kentucky) Adult Reading Program, which has demonstrated exceptional success in reaching, retaining, and teaching thousands of adults in need of basic reading and writing skills, is described. An adaptation of this program in a correctional setting is examined also. (Author/CT)

This digest about issues currently being debated in the adult literacy field examines the appropriate goals and objectives for adult literacy education, professionalization of the field, and literacy program evaluation. The first section reflects the disagreement between those who believe the purpose of literacy education should be to support…

This module presents a 3-hour workshop in whole language theory and practice to be used for inservice training of a small group of tutors or teachers of adult reading students. Suggested group size is 6-15 people. Part I explores the background and concepts of whole language from the point of view of the psycholinguistic model of the reading…

An adult literacy course at Harvard University's Extension School trains professionals and volunteers who teach reading to adults. This 1-semester course consists of weekly lectures and workshops along with a supervised practicum. Students need not be accepted into a degree program to enroll. Clients are self-referrals who pay no fees. Students…

This study, in the form of a research review, is designed to aid adult educators as they work in curriculum development and materials selection activities. Its purpose is to provide a guide for evaluation by providing recommended guidelines for the analysis of learning material, a suggested instrument for evaluation, and how to use the instrument.…

Colin Badger was an adult educator who contributed to Victorian adult education in Australia. After graduating from the University of Adelaide in 1936, Badger became a tutor for the South Australian Workers Education Association (WEA), where he became aware of the possibilities of adult education. After study in London, he returned to Australia to…

To clarify and examine conventional wisdom and stereotypes about adult literacy, this paper focuses on the approaches of individually oriented and community-oriented programs. An examination of the literature base (encompassing research reports, informal accounts, manuals and handbooks, and theoretical, philosophical, and policy articles) leads to…

Reading is the most basic of skills. Reading provides access to other skills and knowledge, facilitates life-long learning, and opens doors to opportunity. The National Institute for Literacy is authorized by the U.S. Congress to collect and disseminate information on the components of reading and the findings from scientific research. The…

This book, which is intended as a practical guide to functional literacy at the grassroots level, addresses a range of issues encountered by literacy workers when mobilizing, planning, teaching, supervising, and evaluating adult literacy programs. The following topics are discussed: adult literacy, literacy teachers, and literacy work; the many…