In teaching introductory English as a second language to nonliterate adult refugees, the focus should initially be on oral skills. The literature on characteristics of recent Southeast Asian refugees and suggested curriculum strategies is reviewed in order to determine the appropriate curriculum and methods for this group. A curriculum for…

Materials from the Literacy Symposium that begin this document are a letter of support from Barbara Bush, a symposium agenda, and lists of panel participants, speakers, symposium staff, and members of the Academic Advisory Council to the U.S. Government Printing Office. These are followed by 21 pages of quotes from particpants. Those quoted…

Literacy and work force preparedness are two of the most important issues facing education today. Findings of nationwide studies show that reading and writing performance of students is inadequate. One of every eight current workers reads at the fourth-grade level or lower. The nation's economic future will be determined by the quality and…

Noting that the demands of literacy have increased and that it is in this context that literacy performance must be evaluated, this book summarizes the most important results of the Young Adult Literacy Assessment, and provides thoughtful analysis of their implications from the standpoint of unemployment, economic competitiveness, the problem of…

The literature shows that state federations of labor should be, and many are, actively involved in current state literacy initiatives. The United States must develop a coherent and comprehensive system of lifetime education. This will require a greater commitment of public and private resources to education and training. Too many employers are…

Most major workplace literacy programs involve unions. Organized labor's current leadership in worker education and training is not a continuation of earlier activities but an expansion of union interest and activity that is unprecedented in the history of organized labor. These efforts do not rely on public funding, because many unions have…

Between-group designs constitute the experimental methods traditionally applied in the field of education. Another level of analysis, however, is commonly used in clinical psychology but seldom applied in educational settings: single-subject designs (actually applied to small groups). This design allows a researcher to evaluate the influence of an…

The "Great Literacy Crisis" Symposium was convened at San Diego State University to ascertain what scholarship reveals about literacy and whether that scholarship influences the public's perception of the issue. Topics discussed included the following: the effect of the literacy crisis on the professions; the reality or illusory nature of the…

Describes American Library Association's involvement in adult and literacy education from support for adult education programs to encourage reading in the 1920s to more recent emphasis on services to illiterates, the disadvantaged, and nontraditional users. Continued support from the association for literacy programs is expected to continue…

Argues that on-the-job reading makes special demands upon readers. Presents a technical reading strategy that involves a five-step prereading checklist and four postreading analyses. (FL)

This collection of selected reminiscences of a volunteer teacher in the Pennsylvania prison system recounts her experiences teaching illiterate and near-illiterate prisoners (and others) how to read. The collection describes several different individuals (in and out of prison), their diverse reactions to reading, and their understanding and use of…

Offers reasons for the declining literacy rate of new military recruits and makes suggestions for improving performance ratings in military training. Recommendations include visually attractive presentations, simple language, performance testing, a relaxed learning environment and feedback, and addressing the learner as an adult. (MER)

Describes Cuba's successful adult literacy campaign and suggests the necessity for a similar undertaking in the United States. Advocates (1) the use of college and secondary students as literacy workers, and (2) the adoption of the concept of "the generative word" (Paulo Freire) as tools for carrying out such a campaign. (GC)

Argues that adult literacy programs should be structured so that reading becomes a genuine means of enhancing the lives of the elderly. (FL)

States that the study of world literacy experience illuminate literacy issues that are often sidelined or ignored in the United Kingdom. Discusses literacy and oral language, literacy and religion, and literacy and gender. (JOW)