Most teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) face a number of challenges: large and heterogeneous classes, specialized student needs, and poor funding and employment continuity. Many work part time, often in more than one program and serving simultaneously as administrator and teacher. While most have college degrees, their training is…

This report describes how the Center for Literacy (CFL) developed a staff orientation manual for new educators (teachers and coordinators of volunteers) who work in adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) programs. Orientation needs were assessed through two questionnaires--one for educators and another for administrators at CFL and 13 literacy…

This handbook, which is an outgrowth of educational workshops for Portage County (Ohio) Literacy Coalition members, is intended as an introductory text for individuals desiring to become effective supporters of adult literacy efforts in local communities. The context and purpose of the handbook's development are explained in the introduction.…

This report sketches the main activities and developments within the Centre for Adult and Continuing Education (CACE), University of the Western Cape, South Africa. It begins by situating the work within the national context. Administration is discussed in terms of changes in staffing, committee work of staff, funding, and building of…

This handbook, which is designed for use by tutors involved in teaching adults to spell, contains information about the main techniques for teaching spelling, basic spelling programs, ways of integrating spelling in writing, and useful resources. Presented in the first section are 26 items of basic information about such aspects of spelling and…

The extent of worker training in the United States is described, with information about the literacy level of job seekers. Major policy options available for increasing the investment in skills and literacy are discussed. Most data come from surveys by the U.S. Department of Labor. Data indicate that 2 of 5 workers received skill-improvement…

This book attempts to counter the fears of many native English speakers and educators that the recent surge of speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) into U.S. universities and U.S. society as a whole represents a threat to the integrity of U.S. pedagogy and culture. More specifically, the book wrestles with the questions: What does it…

This document contains the final report of a study conducted to test the feasibility of developing and implementing instructional modules--for adults in Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language--based on information about text processing demands and task difficulty gleaned from past national adult literacy surveys. Another objective…

The profile of native language literacy instruction for adults looks at a variety of trends and issues in the design and improvement of such programs. The first section discusses what has been learned in the last few years about the kinds of instruction offered, including basic program characteristics and models for curriculum, instruction, and…

The New York City Adult Literacy Initiative is described and evaluated. The program served about 50,000 adult learners in program year 1988-89. The initiative includes programs of the City University of New York, the New York City Board of Education, community-based organizations under the direction of the Community Development Agency, and three…

This catalog is a checklist that provides an overview of objectives that can be explored in an adult literacy program. It is intended to (1) help instructors form a quick idea of what students already know; (2) show learners that they already do know a great deal; and (3) help learners and instructors plan the program ahead by making a selection…

These analysis tools assist educators and employers in identifying the basic skill competencies required for adults with special learning needs who enter vocational training programs and/or employment. The tools also provide a system for assessment that is related to those competencies, and they assist in making appropriate accommodations in…

In 1990, the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges developed a national workplace literacy demonstration project to raise awareness of the link between local economic development and basic workplace skill performance, and to stimulate a local leadership initiative around a community-wide effort to raise worker performance levels.…

This report discusses evaluation as required under the Department of Education rules and regulations for the National Workplace Literacy Program (NWLP). It is intended to help workplace literacy programs meet the requirements of the rules and regulations governing the NWLP so that the Department of Education can determine the value of programs.…

A study was conducted to provide a preliminary overview of what is known about how adult education programs work and to identify issues that should be addressed in future nationally representative studies. Data were gathered through a literature review, informal interviews with state adult education directors in eight states serving a large number…