Literacy In America
At least 40 million American adults need stronger literacy skills to take advantage of more lifelong learning opportunities (Knowles 12). Low literacy limits life chances, regardless of how it is defined or measured. According to The Random House Dictionary literacy is defined as "the quality or state of being literate, esp. the ability to read and write." Another breakdown of the word, from the same source is "possession of education." Basic skills and literacy abilities are widely viewed as necessities for lifelong learning and the development of success among individuals, families, communities, and even nations. Better knowledge about literacy is an essential condition for improving it. Helping children improve their literacy skills can help them develop the capacity for lifelong learning, keep pace with changing educational expectations and rapid technological change, and achieve their life goals. Today in society there are many adults with poor literacy skills who lack! the foundation they need to find and keep decent jobs, to support their children's education and help them mold a literate future. I have taken one small step towards this problem by tutoring at North Junior High Campus and Thomas Jefferson Middle School
This obviously is a huge problem. In our society we forget about the citizens that cannot do the tasks that we take for granted. Imagine seeing a billboard on the side of the road and being unsure of what it says, or what dial to set your dishwasher to, or how much to pay when buying things. These things the average citizen does without hesitation. Our nation is set up for these all being necessities to life. These numbers need to become less intense. It is a problem that should thought about and dealt with. Individual tutoring is the normal solution for illiteracy, while small group tutoring is more common in English literacy programs. Instructional methods vary depending on the learner's personal goals and learning style. There are many ways that literate citizens may help in their communities. For example, like I did, they can help the youth after-school or on the weekends. There also may be some night courses for adults that need instructors. Meeting as little as once a week with someone can change his or her entire future. Merriam, Sharan B. An Update on Adult Learning Theory. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1993. To determine the literacy skills of American adults, the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) used test items that resembled everyday life tasks. The NALS classified the results into five levels that are now commonly used to describe adults' literacy skills. In Level 1 almost all of the adults can read a little but not well enough to fill out an application, read a food label, or read a simple story to a child. Adults in Level 2 usually can perform more complex tasks such as comparing, contrasting, or integrating pieces of information but usually not higher-level reading and problem-solving skills. Adults in levels 3 through 5 usually can perform the same types of more complex tasks with increasing length and subject matter (Knox 37). I find all of those factors to be very, very important. A few of the problems can also not be helped such as the physical and mental conditions or those that cannot even read the print. However, many other factors are problems that can be fixed. If more immigrants were to learn the English language or fewer kids in high school were to drop out, the literate population would most likely go up. Helping children become hooked on learning early is very necessary. If we can prevent them from dropping out of school and help them to obtain a full education, numbers are more likely to drop in the future of illiteracy. This obviously is a huge problem. In our society we forget about the citizens that cannot do the tasks that we take for granted. Imagine seeing a billboard on the side of the road and being unsure of what it says, or what dial to set your dishwasher to, or how much to pay when buying things. These things the average citizen does without hesitation. Our nation is set up for these all being necessities to life. These numbers need to become less intense. It is a problem that should thought about and dealt with. Through volunteer work such as the activities that I have participated in the past semesters, I foresee the solution of the illiteracy problem in the country. There is hope for the future of this problem because people like myself work for this cause. If others get involved, illiteracy will continue to be reduced. Knox, Alan B. Helping Adults Learn. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. 1986. Knox, Alan B. Helping Adults Learn. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. 1986. Through volunteer work such as the activities that I have participated in the past semesters, I foresee the solution of the illiteracy problem in the country. There is hope for the future of this problem because people like myself work for this cause. If others get involved, illiteracy will continue to be reduced.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Survey NALS, Hand Campus, House Dictionary, Adults Level, Middle School, Random House, Jossey-Bass Publishers, , literacy skills, Publication Inc, level 1, Publishing Company, random house, adult education, adults level, basic skills, lifelong learning, francisco jossey-bass publishers, san francisco, jossey-bass publishers, francisco jossey-bass, san francisco jossey-bass, random house dictionary, national adult literacy, physical mental conditions,
Approximate Word count = 4016
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
