This article encourages the use of newspapers in English-as-a-Second-Language literacy classes, and suggests individual and classroom activities that use newspapers in the instruction of students at all proficiency levels. The newspaper is seen as an instructional material that bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world, is easily…

Research shows that developing a curriculum model for senior adult education requires consideration of at least four important factors: (1) the heterogeneous nature of the senior adult population; (2) their specific information and interest needs; (3) the specific nature of the learning activities; and (4) the specific barriers and facilitators…

This guide is intended to assist those responsible for publicizing local adult literacy and basic skills programs. The first section discusses the elements of good publicity. Outlined next are points to consider when determining what a program needs from publicity and how to get the desired results. The next portion of the guide covers seven main…

Adult basic education programs could teach writing by incorporating writing across the curriculum to learn as well as to communicate. Since expressive writing is a good way to encourage students to write without intimidating them, a free writing period genuinely could be productive if the teacher assigned a definite subject, such as a topic that…

Attrition among students in adult basic and secondary education programs has been a perennial problem. Conducting research on this population is also problematic once they have dropped out of a program. A study surveyed 76 dropouts and 35 General Educational Development (GED) program completers from two large, multisite programs about factors…

This document contains transcripts of testimony and written materials presented by four persons at a Congressional hearing on illiteracy. Testimony was given by Gerald L. Baliles, Governor of Virginia; James E. Duffy, vice president, Capital Cities/ABC; Karl O. Haigler, director of the Adult Literacy Initiative, U.S. Department of Education; and…

This package consists of two sets of bilingual instructional materials for use in helping Indochinese refugees learn prenatal care and nutrition skills. Included in the package are Vietnamese, Laotian, and English translations of an instructional booklet dealing with how to have a healthy pregnancy. The second item in the package is a set of…

A community assessment for literacy action was conducted in Salinas, California. Service agencies were surveyed to assess literacy programs and materials. The agencies were asked questions regarding awareness of the illiteracy problem, knowledge of existing or retired programs, and agency commitment to support of a community-wide program. Research…

During 1987, a total of 758,367 people (3 percent more than in 1986) took the General Educational Development (GED) tests at 3,314 testing locations. Of these, 511,973 earned scores qualifying them for equivalency credit. Thus, approximately 74 percent of the examinees who completed the test battery in 1987 earned scores that were sufficient to…

This annual report of the National Advisory Council on Adult Education highlights the activities undertaken by the Council during Fiscal Year 1987. These activities included the following: (1) co-sponsorship with the University of Pennsylvania of a symposium, "Towards Defining Literacy" (an overview of the work of the symposium is…

A study was conducted to assess the opinions of Ohio public school superintendents about the issues of (1) the mission of public schools regarding adult education; (2) the nature of adult education funding; and (3) the benefits accrued to the local school district as a result of adult education programs. A survey form was developed and mailed to…

This collection was written by the students of English as a second language at Streatham and Tooting Institute, London, England. Some of the work is by advanced students, some by people who have only just begun to learn English. Some students who are not yet confident of their ability to write in English dictated what they wanted to say. The…

Two significant reports that were published recently have important implications for policymakers, employers, and literacy workers. "Workforce 2000," commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor, is intended to help shape federal workplace policies and programs as the nation moves toward the next century. The report documents labor patterns and…

This curriculum guide provides materials for teachers who work with the limited English proficient (LEP) population. Sections I, II, and III include an introduction, the mission statement, and philosophy statement. Section IV presents characteristics of various LEP students. Section V is a guide for effective teaching of English as a second…

Writing is an important tool in teaching skills to adult basic education (ABE) students. To be a successful teacher of writing, teachers must be successful writers. They must be aware of the writing process and willing to use it daily in their own lives in order to convey its importance and its usefulness to their students. One method of teaching…