National Adult Literacy Database

Scientists claim that the hyperlinked, text-messaging screen shapes the mind quite differently from the book. “It pulls attention with such rapidity it doesn’t allow the kind of deep, focused attention that reading a book 10 years ago invited,” says Maryanne Wolf, director of the Center for Reading and Language Research at Tufts University in Massachusetts. “It invites constant change of attention, it invites multitasking. It invites, in other words, a kind of triage of attention.”

Four Canadian book publishers will continue offering a rich selection of Canadian-authored books to readers everywhere, in both digital and print formats, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada.

Grass Roots Press has an international reputation for publishing high-quality resources for adult basic education and English as a Second Language communities. The company has just launched a new website and a new catalogue for 2012.

Continuing to evolve and expand, the ESL Literacy Network has a new Youth section that responds to the needs of immigrant youth, ages 18 to 25, with interrupted formal education. Visitors to the section can learn more about Bow Valley College’s Bridge program and download practical classroom resources.

“The new library, with its unique waterfront location, creates a learning and gathering place, and is an example of how co-operation between partners can contribute to strong and prosperous communities,” said Yukon Member of Parliament Ryan Leef.

“Hidden Gems” are resources that Diana Twiss, director of adult and workplace learning at Decoda Literacy Solutions, recommends for anyone who works with adult learners.

"A lot of people on Twitter are dedicated readers. Twitter is like all of the other short forms that preceded it. It's like the telegram. It's like the smoke signal. It's like writing on the washroom wall. It's like carving your name on a tree," says Canada's literary legend Margaret Atwood.

The report examines the number of NALD Library documents, in both English and French, which are viewed and downloaded by visitors to the websites NALD and BDAA.

The Northrup Frye Literary Festival is planning to create a bronze sculpture of the Moncton-born literary giant. Dawn Arnold, chair of the literary festival, said the sculpture will help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Frye’s birth. Heritage Canada has awarded the festival $25,000 to help with the project.

The federal government plans to create a "Financial Literacy Leader" office designed to help debt-burdened Canadians improve their money management skills but some consumer advocates believe the initiative might be a waste of cash.

TESL Canada invites you to submit a proposal to present at the TESL Canada 2012 conference October 11-13, 2012.  The conference will be held at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia. The theme for the conference, TESL Interiors: Landscapes of Literacies and Language, is one reflective of the multiple dimensions of communication and language education.  Presentations can cover any of the diverse areas of inquiry related to TEAL and Teacher Education.

Indigo announces the best books of 2011 with lists of top titles in fiction, non-fiction, teens' and children's books. As selected by Indigo's book buying team who read hundreds of titles every year, this year's compilation of must-read books features award winners, debuts and masterful storytellers from Canada and around the world.

A major new report released by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), indicates that over 90 per cent of Canadian students in Grade 8 are achieving at or above their expected level of performance in mathematics. Almost half are achieving above their expected level.

The ESL Literacy Network, winner of NALD’s Innovative Technology Award for 2011, offers a wide range of services and unique online resources in addition to adhering to the broader mandate for ESL instruction – breaking down barriers, opening doors and creating opportunities.

CBC has revealed the line-up for Canada Reads: True Stories, the first time the popular nationwide literary debate has chosen non-fiction books. The winner will be chosen at the end of four hour-long debates, taking place February 6 to 9, 2012, in Toronto.