When the goal is supporting excellent teaching, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach. This book helps literacy coaches and administrators navigate the many choices involved in developing and fine-tuning a coaching program that offers the best fit for a particular school. The authors draw on current research and their personal experiences in…

Describes five steps for increasing the literacy level of adult beginning readers using creative plays. Notes that creative plays as reading material empowers the adult beginning reader because (1) the content is personalized; (2) it allows for positive reinforcement on an affective level; and (3) it provides insights into possible strategies for…

Argues that requiring student input and responsibility is an effective method for teaching reading to adults. (RB)

Describes how pornographic books were used in a successful three-month program designed to teach 15 low-income adult males how to read. (DD)

Making adults aware that they regularly pick out main ideas in their everyday lives makes it easier for them to do it in reading. (DD)

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)

This document offers "reciprocal questioning" as a technique that promotes active learning and that is a practical and powerful way to help students improve their reading comprehension. First, the technique is described in detail. Steps include selection of four to five paragraphs of text; preparation of 10-12 questions over the material,…

More than 50 percent of the world's adult population is unable to read or write at all. Since many of the tutors of adult illiterates have not had training in the teaching of reading, this booklet was written to introduce these tutors to the practical aspects of an area which has a vast literature of its own. The eleven sections in the booklet…

Describes a project which ranked over 100 adult disabled readers by ability level. Provides profiles of disability types, and makes suggestions for teaching strategies appropriate to each level. (ARH)

Discusses techniques to use with adult beginning readers in the areas of (1) assessment (i.e., interviewing, voice pointing); (2) discussion (i.e., explaining approaches, incorporating interests); and (3) instruction (i.e., assisted reading, progress tracking). (CH)

Compares two approaches to teaching reading to adults: the eclectic, research-based method of Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) and the phonics-based Laubach Literacy International. Concludes that LVA has the advantages of adaptability to student differences, a thorough evaluation system, and a superior published reading series. (SK)

A study sought to apply the Navy's Academic Remedial Training (ART) program to illiterate adults by concentrating on intensive reading instruction. Administrators from the City of Memphis selected 16 participants based on employee interest and need. They were primarily middle-aged, black males with four years of education who earned between…

The reading instructor working with adult "beginners" needs to have an open mind, be willing to be imaginative and adventurous, and think positively. The basic approach requires the instructor to build beginners' confidence; encourage beginners to participate fully, think for themselves, and learn to learn; involve beginners in planning; and…

This paper presents the organization and content of a two-week workshop designed for teachers of adult illiterates in New York State prisons. It explains why the "backwards" organization of practice to theory, rather than theory to practice, worked. It includes many specific teaching techniques for adult inmates who are becoming literate,…

The Literacy Prescription Project has served 250 clients in Illinois by providing individualized instruction and complete diagnostic reports--developing four profiles of adult disabled readers who can be treated with associated instructional techniques. Profile One adults cannot read the simplest pre-primer text and can only recognize a few words…