In South Africa, adult literacy is vaguely acknowledged and thought to be worthy, but on the whole, industrialists, educators, and political activists ignore it. This article outlines what has been done to promote adult literacy, looks critically at the present situation, and spells out constraints. Focuses on the impact of political factors. (JOW)

Suggests that adult literacy workers, as producers or consumers of research, need to become more self-consciously aware of the effects of writing in the construction of knowledge. (SK)

Some of the thinking behind a popular state model for workplace-based education in South Australia is presented, and national implications are discussed. (LB)

Some special issues of concern regarding adult literacy in the South Pacific are considered and questions are posed that go beyond the provision of classes and materials. Language diversity, ideological issues, adult literacy planner's profiles, and planning and training are among the topics discussed. (18 references) (LB)

Proposes five system-level changes (reorganize public and private education, include learners in decision making, interact with traditional systems, view literacy education as marketable, and recognize merits of adult literacy education) and five practitioner action steps (rediscover passion, take risks, interact, stretch boundaries, and hold to a…

Takes a critical look at the "new literacy studies." Describes an experimental workshop on Training for Organization, a Brazilian method focused on the relationship between literacy and power. (SK)

Offers observations about the role of community-based organizations in adult education drawn from the regional perspective of the San Francisco Bay area of northern California. (Author)

Explores the issues of recognizing people's identities within the context of community life and work; fostering literacy within the various domains of social life; and helping individuals develop literacy tools with which to examine, critique, challenge, and change existing situations of economic, social, and political inequalities from the…

Laubach Literacy Action's trainer certification system incorporates a team composed of a certified supervisory trainer, the apprentice trainer, and a literacy program representative. The strategy provides continuity, increases the knowledge base, and balances strengths and weaknesses. (SK)

Describes innovative technology projects that can help meet the expectations of adult literacy stakeholders. Stresses that the success of wider-scale projects requires attention to local planning, training, technical support, leadership, and resources. (JOW)

Critical practice in adult literacy education offers many interesting and important challenges, including creating a situation in which learners and instructors can communicate across their differences.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a word study literacy approach on the spelling ability and self-efficacy of adults in a county jail. Forty-four inmates participated in the word study intervention that provided them with hands-on learning. The word study intervention was conducted in four separate sessions (September,…

This issue of ETS Policy Notes briefly summarizes the results of the Adult Education Program Survey (AEPS) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and conducted by ETS. The results provide a comprehensive picture of federally supported adult education activities in the United States. This picture includes a description of adult education…

This manuscript documents the perceptions of teachers and learners towards the Regenerated Freirean Literacy Empowerment and Community Techniques (REFLECT) approach in the delivery of literacy in Ngamiland District, Botswana. It suggests that REFLECT changed the perceptions, lives, and work experiences of learners and teachers. REFLECT caused…

Environmental literacy has been defined in various ways: from acquisition of scientific knowledge to addressing environmental concerns through indigenous knowledge. Program planners and educators need to identify and employ strategies for inclusive program development where all stakeholders are given an equal opportunity to share their opinions as…