Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

Why Essential Skills?

Essential Skills development is so much more than work-skills training, and it is important that literacy practitioners – especially those who work with adult learners whose goals may not be work related – recognize the ways in which developing Essential Skills positively impacts many aspects of adult learners' lives. As introduced earlier, ES are the base skills that people need to deal with the demands of everyday life. It is also important to note that Essential Skills lay dormant until applied to a task, and according to WWestnet (Western Canada Workplace Essential Skills Training Network) skills weaken, or are lost, if never called upon (www.nald.ca/library/research/street/cover.htm). This supports providing adult students with a variety of authentic opportunities to hone their Essential Skills, and build on strengths they may not realize they already have.

The same WWestnet report indicates that Essential Skills development is associated with:

• Greater independence
• Increased self-respect
• Effective problem solving and communication
• Better overall health and well-being
• Higher learning and earning potential
• An increased ability to use technology
• Flexibility and the capacity to adapt to change

ES development is appropriate for individuals with a wide-range of skills. Statistics show that even formal education does not guarantee adequate ES development, as many high school and post-secondary graduates do not demonstrate the necessary Essential Skills to reach their full potential (from the Advisory Council on Science and Technology (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/
webarchives/20071116014324/http://acst-ccst.gc.ca/home_e.html).

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