I am not a literacy professional. I am involved in online language learning
and have learned quite a few languages, mostly on my own and when motivated
to do so. I would like to understand the problems of literacy better.

My wife's native language is Cantonese. For the longest time she did not
read very much in English and in fact would fall asleep if she tried to read
a book. Occasionally she would need me to explain some written instructions
etc..

A few years age she started enjoying British historical drama and
"Masterpiece theatre" etc. on TV. Then she started reading some historical
novels, Allyson Weir, Philippa Gregory etc., at first with difficulty and
now with ease and joy. The only time she uses a dictionary is when doing
crossword puzzles.

My question is the following.  Apparently, according to surveys, almost half
the population is functionally illiterate. What does this mean? How many are
like my wife, and just need to be motivated to read?

How many do not know what the letters of the alphabet stand for?

How many are dyslexic or have reading disabilities?

According to surveys, less than 1% of people at the lowest level of literacy
would seek out, or even accept, help for their literacy problems, I wonder
if the problem of literacy is best attacked by helping a few with their
reading techniques, or trying to better motivate the many.

Steve

On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 11:17 AM, Wrigley, Heide <heide at literacywork.com>
wrote:


>  Good morning all

>

>

>

> It's 7 am here in Southern New Mexico, it's still nice and cool and the

> roses are blooming big time and I should be going out to water soon (coffee

> first, though)

>

>

>

>

>

> I wanted to welcome you to the discussion on ESL Reading and am hoping

> that we'll have a lively back and forth as you pose questions, challenge

> assumptions, and share your own experience teaching reading to ESL students

> – either teaching these skills explicitly and systematically or just folding

> reading into your regular curriculum.

>

>

>

> I would like to invite you to tell us a sentence or two about yourself and

> your work and your experience before you post your messages.

>

>

>

> Just a bit of background: I'm Heide Spruck Wrigley and my work revolves

> around the intersection of research, policy and practice. I've been involved

> in several studies on ESL literacy (broader than just reading) that we can

> talk about, and this year I'm doing quite a bit of work around workplace

> literacy.  Most of my work has been with language minority adults who are

> relatively new to English but I've also taught in intensive reading programs

> at the university level.

>

>

>

> I've been working with the Texas GREAT Centers (professional development

> centers) for a number of years, and this year we started a series of

> institutes that focus on ESL Reading with a special emphasis on

> comprehension skills. So this discussion is an outgrowth of this work.

>

>

>

> A bit later, I'll write a note about the 2 or 3 things we know for sure

> about reading (of any kind, not just reading in another language so we don't

> have to get caught up in the "reading wars").

>

>

>

> *But in the meantime, I'd like to invite you to jump in and say a bit more

> about who you are  and what issues you are grappling with when it comes to

> helping your ESL students understand what they read.  *

>

> * *

>

> And a special welcome to the Texas teachers who have been involved in the

> institutes. I'm hoping you will share your experience teaching reading and

> tell us what has worked for you.

>

>

>

> All the best

>

>

>

> Heide

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:

> englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] *On Behalf Of *Lynda Terrill

> *Sent:* Monday, May 12, 2008 7:21 AM

> *To:* englishlanguage at nifl.gov

> *Subject:* [EnglishLanguage 2374] Discussion on Reading and Adult

> EnglishLanguage Learners begins

>

>

>

> Dear subscribers,

>

> I am happy to announce that our discussion on reading and adults learning

> English as a second language is beginning.  Heide Wrigley will be

> facilitating this discussion along with Texas practitioners who have been

> working on a project related to reading.  I look forward to hearing what

> they have to share, butI  also look forward to hearing many of your

> experiences, questions, and answers about this important topic.

>

> Lynda Terrill

> lterrill at cal.org

>

>  ------------------------------

>

> Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime

> you're online.<http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_052008>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

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> Email delivered to steve at thelinguist.com

>




-- 
Steve Kaufmann
www.lingq.com
1-604-922-8514
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