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To address the literacy problem in Canada, it is critical to understand who these adults are and why they may not be seeking help. For example, Reading the Future states that many adults with low literacy skills dislike computers; with knowledge like this, policy-makers and educators can design literacy programs that meet specific learning needs and interests.
With more knowledge and tools available—such as Reading the Future—to help us understand the “who” and “why” of Canada’s literacy challenges, progress should be possible.
Almost half of all Canadian adults today face literacy challenges. The following are just a few findings from Reading the Future about Canadians with low levels of literacy:
Most believe that their skills are “adequate” for their work.
Many have not completed high school, although some have pursued some post-secondary education and some may have university degrees.
A large proportion is employed.
Many have negative attitudes toward computers.
Despite being below the international standard for functioning effectively in a modern society, most of these adults are relatively close to achieving that standard.
Men and women of all ages, cultural backgrounds and demographic groups face literacy challenges. They may be young adults or senior citizens; employed or unemployed; with or without children; and speak English, French, or another mother tongue.
Reading the Future furthers our understanding of adults with low levels of literacy, categorizing them into six groups (comprised of 10 sub-groups) based on mother tongue, literacy level, and similar characteristics:
English Group A1 (high-Level 1) • English mother tongue, potential reading disability, born in Canada
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Approximately 240,000 adult Canadians are categorized as English group A1. They are Canadian-born and have English as a mother tongue. Almost all adults in A1 are male. Most members of this group are under the age of 35.
More than half of group A1 adults (53%) have not completed high school. The majority are employed and most feel that their reading skills are adequate for the work they do. Most have a positive attitude toward computer use.
These adults have very limited print and limited vocabulary skills, as well as poor spelling skills. Their vocabulary can support very basic day-to-day interactions with print such as grocery shopping or watching television. However, this group’s Real Word and Pseudo Word Reading average scores (as tested for the ISRS report) are in the Grade 2 to 4 equivalent range—so low that it is likely that many of them are reading disabled to various degrees.
English Group A2 (low-Level 1) • “Other” mother tongue, majority immigrants
This group consists of approximately 379,000 adults. Although they have non-English mother tongues, they are classified in the “English” group because this is the language they took the tests in, and would therefore require any literacy training in the English language.
Most of these adults were born outside Canada and are older. Many have had very limited or no exposure to formal education in their own language.
Most A2 adults feel that their reading skills are adequate for the work they do, which is often in entry-level service jobs that do not demand high levels of English (or French) literacy. They have a slightly less positive attitude toward using computers than do adults in A1.
English Group B1 (mid-Level 1) • English mother tongue, majority born in Canada
Approximately 48,000 adults make up English group B1. Most were born in Canada and have English as a mother tongue. Most members of this group are younger, with more than one-third of them aged between 16 and 25.
The majority of these adults has completed high school but have not pursued postsecondary education. Only 23% of them are employed.
This group of adults is significantly larger than the B1 group. There are approximately 430,000 adults in group B2 in Canada. Most have non-English mother tongues and were born outside Canada. Almost three-quarters of these adults are over the age of 46.
The majority of B2 adults have either completed high school or have some high-school education. In sharp contrast to adults in B1, most B2 adults (82%) are employed. Most believe that their reading skills are adequate for work.
Group C is the second-largest group below literacy Level 3, consisting of approximately 1,914,000 adults. Unlike English groups A and B, no clear sub-categories can be distinguished in group C. Most C adults (73%) were born in Canada and have English as a mother tongue. The ages of these adults are relatively evenly distributed.
Approximately one-third has pursued some post-secondary education and may or may not have a degree, while 28% of the group have completed high school and 38% have not. Most of these adults are employed. Those born outside Canada are more likely to be employed (80%) than those born in Canada (55%). Most believe their reading skills are adequate for work.
Just over half of this group reports having negative feelings about computers.
This is the largest English-language group below Level 3. It is composed of an estimated 3,161,000 adults. Most were born in Canada and have English as a mother tongue. The majority are under the age of 45, making D the “youngest” group. Where age and gender are concerned, both are evenly distributed throughout this group.
More than one-third (39%) have pursued some post-secondary education and may or may not have a degree. The majority have either a high school diploma or less. Two-thirds are employed and—as with group C—immigrants are more likely to be employed (82%) than those born in Canada (60%). This group has very negative attitudes toward using computers and the majority feel that their reading skills are adequate for work.
Most adults in group D have the primary reading component skills needed to help them become successful, independent, lifelong learners.
French Group A1 (mid-Level 1) • Majority with French mother tongue • Majority born in Canada • Potential reading disability
This group has very low levels of educational attainment, with 71% not having completed high school.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of group A1 members are employed. Most appear to have very positive attitudes toward computer use and most feel that their reading skills are adequate for their work.
French Group B1 (high-Level 1) • Majority with French mother tongue • Born in Canada • Potential reading disability
There are more than 137,000 adults who can be categorized as French group B. Similar to French group A, most of group B report having French as their mother tongue. This leaves a group of 34,000 adults (B2) with mother tongues other than French. This sample size is too small to identify characteristics that would warrant “splitting” group B into two distinct sub-categories. Therefore, only one distinct group (B1, consisting of 103,000 adults) can be described extensively.
All B1 adults were born in Canada. Two-thirds of this group is over the age of 46, and 40% of group B1 adults have children living at home.
This group has very low levels of educational attainment, with 91% not having completed high school. Just over half (53%) of this group is employed. Most feel that their reading skills are adequate for the work they do. This group has very negative attitudes toward using computers.
French Group C (low-Level 2) • Majority with French mother tongue • Majority born in Canada
This is the second-largest French market group, consisting of 522,000 adults.
The majority of this group (89%) has French as their mother tongue. Most members of group C (53%) are over the age of 46. This group has a slightly higher proportion of males to females. Over one-third (35%) have children living at home.
Group C adults have very low levels of education. In fact, 85% have a high-school diploma or less, and 67% did not complete high school. Over half (55%) are employed. Collectively, these adults have a very negative attitude toward computers and most feel that their reading skills are adequate for the work they do.
This is the largest French market group, comprising 1,158,000 adults, or 60% of the total number of adults requiring French instruction below literacy Level 3.
Most adults (98%) in group D report having French as their mother tongue. Of these adults, most (98%) were born in Canada. Males and females are roughly equal in gender distribution. Most (61%) are over the age of 46. Just under one-third (31%) have children living in the home.
Group D members with a French mother tongue have relatively low levels of education. Although 40% have some post-secondary education, 37% did not complete high school. As well, 67% are employed. Just over half of this group report having negative attitudes toward computers and most feel that their reading skills are adequate for work.
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