Coming Soon! Canada’s Own Journal of Literacy Research and Practice

Have you ever wondered if others share the questions you have about literacy work? Do you know what research about literacy is happening right now? Soon you’ll have a place to read about and discuss these issues. A new literacy journal to start publishing this year, hopes to support and disseminate research, reflection and inquiry about adult literacy work in this country.

The project is hosted by the Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) but driven by a steering committee that has been exploring the feasibility of a national journal for three years. Several partners are helping to make the journal a reality, including the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD), Ontario Institute for Studies in Educations/University of Toronto and Grass Roots Press. The project recently received funding from the National Literacy Secretariat.

The print journal, yet unnamed, will be published in May and November and complemented by a website. On-line, the journal will include chat rooms to discuss issues as well as archived articles and links to research networks and resources.

Interested in being part of this exciting new initiative?

The journal needs people to:

• write articles, opinion pieces, reflections and book reviews;

• interview researchers about their projects;

• help others write about their research and reflections;

• give feedback to writers.

Want to participate?

Send an e-mail to journal@literacy.ca.
For more information on this project, visit www.literacyjournal.ca.

Research and Practice in Adult Literacy (RiPAL)

If you’re interested in having access to a Canadian-based website specifically about adult literacy research in practice, then take time to visit www.nald.ca/ripal.

The idea for it started at last summer’s “gathering about literacy research in practice.” Participants suggested that there needed to be ways to communicate with other researchers in practice. An online survey at the website will gather information on current interests and issues that will be used to develop the website and to apply for the funding and other support to maintain it. The RiPAL group is also planning a summer institute in St. John’s (see details under Coming Events on the back cover of this issue!)

Understanding, Improving and Sustaining Children’s Language and Literacy Development

The Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network (CLLRNet) is a new venture that brings together leading scientists, clinicians, students, educators and other partners to generate and disseminate current research on children’s language and literacy development. The Network, based at the University of Western Ontario is part of the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE). It recently received federal funding of $2.16 million in 46 multidisciplinary research projects at 26 institutions across Canada. Each research project furthers Canada’s goal of improving children’s language and literacy skills. For more information on CLLRNet’s current projects, research findings to date, publications, workshop speakers and submitting requests for literacy research, contact Managing Director, Dan Sinai at tel: 519-661- 3619 or email: dan@cllrnet.ca or check the website at www.cllrnet.ca.