Adult illiteracy is a complex, costly, and growing social problem. Three common areas of controversy related to the problem are: (1) definitions of adult literacy, (2) characteristics of illiterate adults, and (3) the purposes of literacy education. Illiteracy can be understood only in relation to a culture's definition of literacy. Due to…

Considers adult education within the more general cultural-theoretical framework of societal institutions. Asserts that special features of adult education may prevent complete analysis of the field. Focuses on the boundary areas typical of adult education rather than on traditional areas that are rapidly changing. (CFR)

This module, which may be used as the basis for a workshop or as a special topic unit in adult basic education or English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses, discusses men's changing roles. It is designed to provide a framework for exploring how differences in language, laws, and ways for participating in the community and differences in the way…

A selected annotated bibliography on literacy and basic education, including contributions from practitioners in the worldwide non-formal education network and compiled for them, has three interrelated themes: integration of literacy programs with broader development efforts; the learner-centered or "psycho-social" approach to literacy,…

These 15 papers share a common theme: seeking to promote literacy as a powerful tool for challenging existing inequalities and dependencies. "Powerful Literacies" (Jim Crowther et al.) is an introduction. Section 1 establishes the theoretical and policy frameworks that underpin the book and shows how literacy is situated in different…

This compedium volume summarizes a study on the characteristics and underlying assumptions of education beyond schools. The three chapters in Part I present a method for analyzing and comparing 10 distinct approaches to out-of-school education and demonstrate the important kinds of generalizations this method can generate. Chapter 1 is an…