Presents words which appear in common signs in various geographical locations organized into "Words of Travel, "Words of Work and "Words of General Significance. (MB)

Problems of dealing with ESL students who are functionally, completely, or semi-literate, or who are not familiar with the Roman alphabet, are outlined, and some solutions to material development and class activities are proposed. Examples and a list of resources are included. (MSE)

Attributes much of "illiteracy" and "learning disability" in Canadian schools to factors such as parents' social class, definitions of literacy, and validity of readability measures. Iceland's tradition of family responsibility for early childhood education, status for national authors, and home exposure to reading might be…

Reviews the adult illiteracy problem in the United States and explains a U.S. experimental adult literacy program titled the apperception interaction method (AIM). It is noted that AIM involves reading, writing, discussion, and the taking of practical action by participants. (LRA)

Arguments are presented for extending Universal Primary Education to school age children as well as Universal Basic Literacy Education to illiterate and semiliterate adults in Nigeria. Proposed financing of such programs is outlined. (JMF)

Describes "initial teaching alphabet" (i.t.a.), a self-instructional reading program designed to teach basic literacy skills in English to adults in a systematic and logical way by teaching the language sounds and their related i.t.a. characters through the use of recordings and workbook exercises. (WL)

This paper examines the negative impact the linguistic situation in the Arab world, which is characterized by diglossia, has on Arab children's ability to acquire reading and writing skills in Arabic and on their academic attainment in general. Discusses specific obstacles posed by contemporary diglossia to the acquisition of literacy, including…

Reviews twentieth century programs to enhance literacy outside the schools and describes the activities of a one-day literacy planning session by the Region V Library Cooperative--a not-for-profit multi-type library membership organization of academic, institutional, public school and special libraries. A list of additional readings is provided.…

Examines the increased recognition of widespread adult illiteracy in industrialized countries; the origins of such recognition in voluntary bodies and advocacy groups; and the extent to which true adult-literacy policies have been developed. Compares adult-literacy efforts in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States with regard to…

Discusses the changing nature of UNESCO's approach to attaining worldwide literacy. Argues that any initiative in formal education or adult literacy depends on political engagement at the highest level, mobilization of necessary financial and human resources, and genuine popular participation. Suggests finding a common language to improve the…

Discusses past work toward eliminating illiteracy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Suggests planning future strategy with evaluation of what has been done based on reliable information and an effective political will. Urges concentration on quality teaching, planning, integral strategy, and a new political will. Argues that literacy training…

Reading specialists, as well as members of the general public, have long sought to understand why so many children in the United States read below grade level and why so many of its adult citizens are illiterate. While problems associated with reading are not unique to the United States, it is noteworthy that some nations do not experience major…

The world has a population of 6 billion. India alone has a population of 1 billion. This is despite the fact that India was the first country in the world to have a population policy. It is important to understand the factors that led to this population explosion and the complex links between population growth rates and levels of development.…

In societies with rich oral traditions in which knowledge and wisdom are transmitted by way of mouth, through recitation, song and drama, the inability to read and write does not mean ignorance or lack of intelligence. Literacy is, however, essential for gaining legal and socioeconomic rights. Literacy campaigns should therefore involve changing…

A survey group of the State Literacy Workforce Development Council studied the impact of illiteracy on Alabama's work force and economy using census data. Findings indicated that 55 percent of Alabama's adults functioned at literacy levels inadequate to meet the demands of a modern, technical society. Costs to business and industry were lost…