ERIC Number: EJ1316582
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-8566
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Key Factors Influencing the Maintenance of Adult Learners' Literacy Skills Levels: A Follow-Up Study of Three Participant Cohorts of the Literacy Programme in Cambodia
International Review of Education, v67 n5 p611-636 Oct 2021
This quantitative study examined the current level of literacy skills of three cohorts of learners after they completed a non-formal basic literacy programme in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The purpose of the study, conducted in late 2019, was to identify major factors that influenced the maintenance of their levels of reading and calculating skills. The author used a test instrument and a learner's background questionnaire for data collection from 94 graduates (81 female, 13 male). His findings conclude that while the reading skills level of many members of the three cohorts was average, numeracy performance was poor. There was no significant difference in skills levels among these three cohorts or in terms of different demographic backgrounds such as age, gender, and occupation. Importantly, however, factors affecting literacy levels included the frequency with which the individuals used and practised their literacy skills (p < 0.01), and their attitudes towards learning and skills use (p < 0.05). Critically, the surrounding environments and contexts many of them lived in did not enable them to use and practise their literacy skills. However, most respondents were satisfied to be offered follow-up interventions to sustain and improve their literacy skills and expressed a preference for contents that would help to strengthen literacy skills (in reading, writing and calculating) as well as work-related skills. This study suggests that the quality of Cambodia's non-formal basic literacy programme needs improving, and that a strong follow-up programme needs to be implemented to make continuing education more effective, by sustaining neo-literates' literacy skills, including numeracy. To meet neo-literates' needs and interests, the contents of follow-up programmes should focus on basic literacy and work-related skills offered through contact sessions with teachers and through self-learning.
Descriptors: Skill Development, Reading Skills, Numeracy, Computation, Adult Students, Adult Literacy, Nonformal Education, Continuing Education, Influences, Student Attitudes, Context Effect, Foreign Countries, Adult Basic Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Adult Basic Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Cambodia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A