National Adult Literacy Database

Adult learning in Canada and around the world since the Second World War owes a great deal to a handful of Canadians who continue to provide leadership today. Although adult education has been practised in Canada since the early 19th century, it wasn’t until after the war that it developed its own formal field of study.

Take part in the celebration of International Adult Learners’ Week by practising your literacy skills - read about a new hobby, complete a crossword, word jumble or Sudoku puzzle, or sign up for a professional development program at work.

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

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

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.

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.

“Change is everywhere in today’s workplace,” says Bill Stirling, CEO of the National Adult Literacy Database. “New technologies, global competitors, new markets and changing standards or certifications mean that workers today are constantly dealing with change. They have to be continuous learners and problem solvers.”

'Sharing Our Gifts' encourages families to celebrate the learning they do together by creating a family scrapbook. “We use the word scrapbook loosely to mean a special place to keep evidence of the activities families have done together,” explained Jinny Greaves, program coordinator.

This year, ABC Life Literacy Canada, Frontier College and the Ontario Literacy Coalition have co-written a social media guide to encourage Canadian organizations to celebrate adult learning and raise awareness of lifelong learning in Canada.

The Canadian Literacy and Learning Network (CLLN), a non-profit charitable organization, represents literacy coalitions, organizations and individuals in every province and territory. CLLN shares knowledge, engages partners and stakeholders, and builds awareness to advance literacy and learning across Canada.

Communities in Canada’s North often lag behind the South in terms of educational outcomes, but they are leaders in developing innovative ways to improve educational programming and delivery, according to a new report from The Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for the North.

Fewer Maritimers have been enrolling in the region’s universities in recent years, largely the result of flattening demand after the peak in 2004, reveals a report released by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.

Not all francophone minority communities carry the same weight or have the same institutional support. “On the Acadian peninsula of New Brunswick and in certain regions of Ontario, people can easily obtain services in French. They have institutional support whereas in British Columbia it takes people a long time to obtain services in French. It is important to make that distinction,” says Yvon Laberge, a member of the NALD Board of Directors.

According to a recent national survey reporting on nearly 10,000 Canadian classes, one in every six students has an identified learning exceptionality. In addition, more than one in 10 students in these classes have challenges understanding the school's language of instruction. The survey, conducted by the Canadian Teachers' Federation drew responses from nearly 3,800 teachers, the largest number obtained in a CTF online survey to date.

Establishing a culture of learning in the home encourages an exchange of ideas, enriches family relationships, and bolsters confidence and independent thinking. On January 27 across Canada thousands of families, literacy groups, schools, libraries and community organizations gathered in their communities to celebrate the importance of literacy and learning in honour of Family Literacy Day – Canada’s largest family literacy initiative.