Literacy is that demonstrated competence in communication skills that enables an individual to function independently and successfully in his society. (JH)

Examines relationship between literacy and intellectual development and the belief that literacy leads to higher forms of thought. Describes research findings among the Vai of Liberia, a people who invented a syllabic writing system to represent their own language. Investigates effects of becoming literate separately from effects of attending…

This system has five techniques, each of which deals with a crucial part of the reading process. They are (1) language experience; (2) information reading; (3) life skills; (4) context clues; and (5) silent reading. (Author/AM)

A compilation of some recent developments in education in the United States and abroad including discussion of educational issues on National Public Radio and a new technology that can aid in foreign language training. (RK)

Describes three approaches to combatting the high illiteracy rates among adults: (1) working early with children who are poor readers or nonreaders, (2) improving adult literacy programs, and (3) training adult educators to teach lifelong learning along with reading skills. (CH)

Reports on a study that found that a large proportion of adult poor readers reported negative memories of reading aloud in school. Also found that dislike of oral reading increased with reading ability, was present equally among men and women, and was less common among Blacks than Whites. (ARH)

Examines the relationship between education and the socioeconomic development of the English-speaking Caribbean, and the role of continuing education in this process. Looks at the participation of women in education and draws attention to recent government initiatives on adult education and literacy that may be of help to women. (CH)

Describes American Library Association's involvement in adult and literacy education from support for adult education programs to encourage reading in the 1920s to more recent emphasis on services to illiterates, the disadvantaged, and nontraditional users. Continued support from the association for literacy programs is expected to continue…

English as a second language (ESL) teachers must help many refugee students develop English skills and initial literacy skills at the same time. New refugees share certain sociocultural commonalities that influence learning. Therefore, certain new curriculum models may be more appropriate for this population than those being used. (Author/CH)

Describes a literacy program in Africa that trains new writers to produce a written literature for their new readers. (AEA)

Argues that on-the-job reading makes special demands upon readers. Presents a technical reading strategy that involves a five-step prereading checklist and four postreading analyses. (FL)

More than 1,000 New South Wales adults are being helped to overcome illiteracy in a program aimed at teaching them reading and writing which was introduced into the Evening Colleges of the New South Wales Education Department in Mid-1972. (WL)

This is the fourth in a series of reports that draws upon the vast amount of background and assessment data and information that have been collected from the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) and the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS). In this report, the authors find connections between the literacy skills of adults and their success…

Researchers have long been interested in the relationship between literacy and health. Over the past several decades, many studies have been conducted to analyze the difficulty of health-related print materials, evaluate patients' ability to read these types of materials and to recognize common medical terms, and determine whether patients'…

This document lists books commonly used with literacy and beginning level adult English language learners. Most titles include brief comments about the book's content, aims, and lay-out. The list is grouped by publisher. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (Author/VWL)