Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

Breaking Down the Barriers

Suggestions from ABC Life Literacy’s “Why Aren’t They Calling?” Study:

Based on its research, ABC Life Literacy made recommendations to Canada’s literacy programs on how to reduce some of the barriers to learner recruitment:

• Use images and concepts that dispel the myth that adult learning is similar to early schooling. Show that the classroom might be as simple as a group of people sitting around a table or a student/tutor pair working together.
  
  
• Explain exactly what small groups, tutoring and classes are like, who the learners and teachers are, and what kinds of materials are used.
  
  
• Highlight the variety of programming options available at your literacy agency.
  
  
• Make it clear that most programs do not mix adults with children or teenagers.
  
  
• Clearly explain that literacy instructors and tutors have a great deal of sensitivity in dealing with adults who have been away from the classroom for a long time.
  
  
• Reinforce that upgrading is for adults of all ages.
  
  
• Clearly show that your program is learner-centered and that adults have much more control over their learning environment than they did as children.
  
  
• Demonstrate that adults do not have to pick up their schooling where they left off. Highlight that programs are learner-centered and learners decide what it is they want to achieve.
  
  
• Highlight that programs are of differing lengths and that people can work at their own pace. This doesn’t mean that programs run indefinitely, but rather that learners will set-up a learning timeline best suited to their needs and to program requirements.
  
  
• Present upgrading as an important step in providing opportunities to achieve their dreams!

Suggested Program Improvements from the “Who Wants to Learn” Study

ABC Life Literacy’s “Who Wants to Learn” research also found that 88% of current students reported high degrees of satisfaction with the program level, content and teaching structures. However, some areas of improvement were also identified. Consider your own program and whether it requires and can accommodate the improvements requested by learners in this survey.

Program improvements suggested by adult students:

• More hours per week with an instructor or tutor
• Smaller classes
• More individual attention
• More relevant material
• Teachers and tutors who are more knowledgeable
• Diverse program locations

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