A study replicated portions of the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council's pilot study that addressed the effectiveness of small group instruction. The study contrasted reading proficiency gain and personal goals accomplishment across two instructional modes: small group and traditional one-to-one instruction. Three group instruction sites were…

Phonics has been taught from the time of the ancient Greeks to make the written language more accessible. The first task of learning to read is learning to recognize in print the language used in speech. As a result of many studies conducted during the 1960s which demonstrated the effectiveness of phonics, its use as an instructional method…

In the context of multicultural Australia, bilingual education has generally become a viable educational option for all school age students, but there is less interest in developing bilingual skills in adults with a non-English speaking background (NESB). This paper arises out of a 1991 research study on "The Literacy Needs of NESB…

The Illinois Literacy Council's Long-Range Planning team interviewed more than 100 educators, business representatives, policy makers, and adult new readers to gather their thoughts about the state of literacy and how it might be improved. Their report raises 7 issues and presents 11 recommendations. The seven issues relate to the following: (1)…

By the year 2000, it is estimated that there will be 1 billion illiterates, 98% of whom will be in developing regions. Oral traditions and the preponderance of local languages and dialects are among the reasons the situation is so widespread. Illiteracy is linked to contextual factors in which social class distinctions, linguistic affiliations,…

Access to Learning for Adults (ALFA) links education providers and organizations in collaborative work to extend and improve access to education opportunities for adults underrepresented in the system. A survey followed the progress, performance, and experiences of 86 former ALFA students, aged 25 to 49, in London, England, in their seeking of…

This adult literacy curriculum best serves groups of students, but is also effective for one-on-one tutoring methods. The material covers the history of broad form deeds in Kentucky (instruments with which coal rights, but not the farmlands above the coal, were sold to mining companies) and includes four personal narratives of Kentucky residents…

Reflecting a holistic approach by introducing many sides of an issue, this anthology of 16 journal articles and conference papers dating from 1985 to 1990 represents a selection of the best research and practice concerning the intersections of adult literacies with elementary and secondary education. The papers and articles are divided among four…

This paper describes the whole language approach to literacy education in the context of teaching adults. Information is drawn from literature and from interviews with teachers and literacy students. Topics covered include the following: whole language--a framework, learning language, learning through language, learning about language, what people…

Grant funding enabled the Adams County Public Library (ACPL) in Colorado to hire permanent staff; build collections of library materials for literacy students, tutors, and the general public; provide workbooks to students at no cost; and expand the scope and effectiveness of the literacy program by enabling the development of collections of…

This bibliography focuses on research in adult literacy and basic education. The general categories, which were determined on the basis of the agenda of the conference for which it was prepared, include bibliographies; history of literacy/illiteracy; theory of literacy; literacy provision (examples from local to international); literacy and…

According to a 1980 estimate, 5,678,000 black South African adults are illiterate. A large number of organizations has been created to address the problem--among them such private sector operations as the South African Committee for Higher Education, Operation TEACH (Teach Every African Child), the Bureau of Literacy and Literature, the Urban…

The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Adult Literacy Project is described in terms of the radio and television programs, supplemental workbooks, telephone services, and tutor training programs it is developing. The basic aim of the project is to encourage adult illiterates to seek individualized help. (LH)

Interest in the debate about quality management has grown substantially in recent years. Educators of adults want to improve their practices: they are searching for new ways of measuring success that are inclusive and which take account of views of different interest groups. This article examines the involvement of stakeholders in the management…

This document sets the current literacy education movement in historical context, criticizes the actions of unprepared newcomers to field, and praises the efforts of reading professionals who use a language experience approach to teaching reading. In an overview, the faddishness of some current literacy education activity is deplored. Section 1…