National Adult Literacy Database

“As the Canadian labour market tightens and the natural resources sectors expand, we have a unique opportunity for an educated, skilled Aboriginal population to become full participants in a robust Canadian economy,” said John Duncan, federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, in Calgary recently.

The Conference Board of Canada has said Canada’s North is poised to lead the country in economic growth over the next two years as the boom in mining projects takes hold. However, the optimism stemming from economic potential comes with hesitancy from environmental groups who have dire concerns about widespread mining without the proper checks and balances.

The Learner Supports Conference: Helping the Struggling Learner: What Works and How? will be held April 26-27 in Truro, NS. Registration is open to practitioners including volunteer tutors, instructors, and program coordinators of the community-based learning organizations.

Those involved in the preconference will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the complex, fluid, and multiple nature of literacies and to discuss the opportunities this affords for research and teaching in adult literacies.

Spring is all about new beginnings and there is no better time of year to refresh your skills and focus on lifelong learning.

Before 1852, the Prince Edward Island education system was underdeveloped and there was a shortage of funding. Although it was regularly reviewed by government, the quality of education was inadequate. Teachers generally had poor wages and pay was sporadic, which often kept the finest instructors away from Island classrooms. By 1851, the public had grown unhappy with the status of education and pressed government to implement change.

In observance of International Adult Learners’ Week in Canada, NALD offers several handy tips for engaging learners in the education process.

March 24 to April 1, 2012, is International Adult Learners' Week. Members of Canada's literacy and essential skills community want to know how YOU continue to learn throughout the years.

Bilingual immigrants are healthier than those who speak one language, according to a new study from Rice University in Houston. Sociologists at the school rated the English and native-language skills of nearly 5,000 immigrants from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico, then asked them to rate their own health.

Dr. Philip Hunter, a director in PwC's People and Change practice, believes that Gen Xers are perhaps being "squeezed" by older workers delaying retirement, and younger, more aggressive Gen Ys intent on rising through the ranks quickly.

Frontier College is observing 100 years of being a cornerstone of literacy support in Quebec, as well as the rest of Canada. Trained volunteers work with children, youth and adults in homework clubs, reading circles, and one-to-one tutoring. As well, Frontier College teaches other community organizations how to improve their clients' literacy skills.

Good Reads authors Joy Fielding and Deborah Ellis sat down with ABC Life Literacy Canada to discuss the writing process for adult learners, why they love writing for the Good Reads program, and even shared a bit about themselves.

Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc. is excited to announce the launch of its new and improved website. The website has many new features to assist visitors in a more user-friendly format. With improvements throughout, the new website has a greater emphasis on programs and services as well as product purchasing.

This webinar hopes to bring together a wide variety of stakeholders to discuss the importance of essential skills for immigrants in today's knowledge-based economy, to exchange valuable information and to showcase innovative approaches on how to support the development of immigrants' essential skills.

Nominations for the 2012 Council of the Federation (COF) Literacy Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in adult literacy, will be accepted until May 22, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has announced.