Adult Literacy: So Much More than Books

If you’re reading a blog on this site, chances are that you love books. You enjoy reading or stringing beautiful words together. You have a to-read pile that seems to multiply of its own accord, you can’t pass a bookshop without going in, and you think of the characters in your favourite novels as friends. I should know. Anne of Green Gables is one of my besties.

When you love reading, it’s easy to forget that not everyone shares your passion. Some may simply have different interests, but for others, reading isn’t fun. It’s a daily struggle, leaving stress, shame, and low self-esteem in its wake.

What is Literacy?

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), literacy is “the ability to understand, evaluate, use, and engage with written texts to participate in society, achieve one’s goals, and develop one’s knowledge and potential”.

Here, we’re not only talking about people who are illiterate (i.e., those who have never learned to read or write), but those with low levels of literacy that make everyday tasks a challenge.

Children’s literacy is of course important, and there are many excellent organisations that focus on that (e.g., The Pyjama Foundation, which helps children in foster care with reading and learning activities.) However, adult literacy has a tremendous flow-on effect in helping families as a whole.

Literacy and Everyday Struggles

The struggles some people face was brought home to me recently while watching a three-part documentary series called ‘Lost for Words’. (If you’re in Australia, you can catch up the episodes on SBS On Demand.)

It tells the stories of a group of ordinary Australians who want to improve their literacy so that they can reach goals that many of us take for granted. There’s one young mother who wants to be able to read a simple book to her children with confidence. Another young woman wants to be able to write a job resume and read public transport notices so she can get around her city. One man, born with Fragile X Syndrome, wants to read the menu when he takes his girlfriend to dinner. Another man, born in Sudan, wants to pass his driving test.

Literacy Expectations

Western society revolves around words and the expectation that people can read and understand those words.

• Imagine not being able to find ingredients in the supermarket because you can’t read the labels.
• Imagine getting on the wrong train because you misunderstood the timetable or didn’t realise you were on the wrong platform.
• Imagine not being able to fill out the myriad of forms we’re expected to complete, including all the online forms and databases we’re expected to access.
• Imagine not being able to read road signs, street signs, safety messages, and instructions.
• Imagine not being able to read the Bible for yourself.

In a society where everyone is expected to read, you can feel ‘stupid’ if you have trouble reading texts that seem ‘simple’ for everyone else. Low self-esteem and shame can cause people to keep their literacy problems hidden and avoid asking for help. There are a lot of audio resources and Apps these days that can provide some assistance, but they don’t cover every situation. At times, there is no substitute for being able to look at words and know what they mean.

Resources for Literacy

If you, or someone you know, struggles with literacy, there is help available. Here are a few organisations and websites that provide programs and/or resources:

Australia

Australian Council for Adult Literacy –  https://acal.edu.au/

The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation – https://alnf.org/

Indigenous Literacy Foundation – https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/

New Zealand

New Zealand Literacy Association – https://nzla.org.nz/

Literacy Aotearoa – https://www.literacy.org.nz/

Other Countries

World Literacy Foundation – https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/

How Can We Help Others?

Attitude Check

The SBS documentary challenged my preconceptions in a number of ways. Many scenes brought tears to my eyes as I watched the participants trying to perform tasks that come naturally for me. I realised how easy it is to place expectations on others, or even judge them or be prejudiced towards them, because they have trouble reading. As Christians, we’re not to judge. We’re called to love others, and be kind, patient and helpful. There are many reasons for poor literacy. For some, it may be a biological or genetic learning disability; but literacy can also be affected by trauma, emotional or mental health issues, or lack of opportunities. Let’s offer others the same level of grace Christ has given us.

Practical Help

If you want to give practical help, many of the literacy organisations offer volunteer opportunities, or you could seek out opportunities in your local area (e.g., helping at a migrant centre, teaching English as a second language, or getting alongside someone you know who could use your help.)

If you’re wondering about where to give a donation or offering, think about supporting one of the literary foundations or other organisations that have literacy programs. For example, some charities like Tear Fund and the Bible Society support a number of projects, including literacy ones.

The next time you’re sitting down to read a book for fun, spare a thought for those who can’t read that book. With some support, prayer and the right tools, their literacy can improve and they can access the opportunities we take for granted.

Have you, or someone you know, struggled with reading? I’d love to know what strategies you’ve found useful.

Do you know of other resources or organisations that can help with literacy? Please share your examples.

Photo credit

Featured photo by Angel Hernandez on Pixabay.