A preliminary sketch is provided of some important issues in adult literacy education, based on the work of Paulo Freire and reactions to his theories. (Contains 12 references.) (LB)

Outlines problems in Australian adult literacy policy; considers whether policy perverts or perfects democracy. Concludes that workable policy offers a conjunction of information, ideology, and interests. (SK)

Examines the Australian Language and Literacy Council's paper, "Literacy at Work." Concludes that it concerns not only achievement of social and economic objectives but also the question of acceptable forms of governance and the state's intervention in economic and social life and the organization of the workplace. (SK)

This position paper outlines what teachers in English language and literacy positions need to know and be able to do; what professional associations, providers of teacher development, and employers should do; and what action steps the Australian Literacy Federation will take. (SK)

A case is described that tested the relevance of Freire's "liberationist pedagogy." One student's improved language skills resulted in changing smoking arrangements at the local bingo hall and in gaining personal social and political skills in the process. (Contains two references.) (LB)

Assesses the Australian Language and Literacy Policy in terms of the metaphors and constructions of subjects it uses. Examines concepts of skill deficiency, continues learning, nonparticipation, the scourge of illiteracy, stunted growth, deprived subject, and disempowerment. (SK)

Includes "Broadening Our Horizons" (Holden); "Reading through 'Literacy Broadsheet'" (Hazell); "Tracking Writing through 49 Issues of 'Literacy Broadsheet'" (McGuirk); "Maths, Literacy--or Numeracy?" (Johnston); "Workplace Education: A 'Literacy Broadsheet' Perspective" (Adams); "I Always…

Examines the public library's role in adult literacy education in Australia in the past decade. Identifies areas of library services and staff training that need to change in response to the need of literacy programs. (SK)

Implications of the Australia Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) for the English language needs of long-term migrant residents, especially women, are discussed. It is suggested that the revised AMEP policy aims to involve a wider range of organizations and providers. (LB)

Some of the broad issues of literacy and national economy are addressed in this article, which provides a historical context for the claims frequently made by policymakers and employer organizations about the economic benefits of increased language skills. Contains 42 references. (LB)

Describes the work of an Australian adult literacy and basic education teacher who mixes research and practice and a professional development project undertaken in the United Kingdom that was inspired by her work. (SK)

It is productive to think about literacy in ecological terms inasmuch as the literacy problem is a system of interdependent components. Illiteracy must be a concern of writers of the myriad of forms on which both the private and public sectors rely to function in this information-intensive society. In addition to helping readers, adult literacy…

The concept of an administrator of literacy programs as one who is reflective of the values of those responsible for the program is explored in this paper. The paper places literacy in a framework of values as an instrumental value, or journey toward an end state, requiring competency from the individual. The theories of Paulo Freire, who…

Misconceptions within Australian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) about Plain English (PE) are that PE involves sentence-by-sentence translation and simplification of the language and content of an existing text. Both misconceptions are refuted and PE is concluded to be basically about good communication. (Contains 12 references.) (LB)

It is suggested that the search to make sense of dominant political ideologies and of their impact on language and literacy curriculum and teaching practice must be deliberately undertaken by teachers and activists if education is to maintain any control over the literacy agenda. (Contains 27 references.) (LB)