The framework for this paper takes its central orientation from the New Literacy Studies (NLS) body of research which focuses on the analysis of texts and practices rather than the skills-oriented perspective of large-scale quantitative studies. In this paper, these are the texts of everyday life and the literacy practices of adult migrants before…

This chapter describes international policy contexts of adult literacy and language assessment and the shift toward standardization through measurement tools. It considers the implications the quantification of learning outcomes has for pedagogy and practice and for the social inclusion of transnational migrants.

Uses the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series to examine literacy or educational attainment of African American migrants from the South to northern cities, 1880-1990. Consistent with migration theory, Black migrants had significantly higher levels of education than southern Black nonmigrants and lower levels than northern-born Blacks. Both…

Describes the work of the Literacy Centre at the Adult Migrant Education Service in Sydney, Australia. Discusses briefly the kinds of students taught at the Literacy Centre, as well as diagnostic assessment and teaching approaches. (JM)