The Big Picture is a comprehensive overview on the state of literacy in Canada, prepared by the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network. updated in April 2012

1. The Big Picture
Literacy in Canada
Developed by Chris Harwood
Canadian Literacy and Learning Network – www.literacy.ca

2. OutLiNe
Part 1: Literacy in Canada
Part 2: Literacy Facts
Part 3: Challenges and Barriers
Part 4: Canadian Literacy and Learning Network
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3. Part ONe
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Literacy in Canada
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4. LiteraCy is a seriOus issue
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The International Adult Literacy and Skills
Survey (IALSS) was released in 2005
It clearly shows that millions of Canadians
struggle with literacy challenges
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5. uNesCO DeFiNitiON
OF LiteraCy
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Literacy is the ability to identify, understand.
interpret, create, communicate, compute and use
printed and written materials associated with varying
contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning
to enable an individual to achieve his or her goals, to
develop his or her knowledge and potential, and to
participate fully in the wider society.
Adopted by CLLN
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6. LiteraCy aND esseNtiaL skiLLs
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HRSDC has introduced the term Essential Skills to
define the transferable skills that everyone needs to
succeed in life
4 There are 9 Essential Skills
4 Gradually people across Canada are becoming
familiar with the term and its meaning
Essential Skills are also a structured way of thinking
about Literacy
Literacy is the foundation of every Essential Skill
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7. a FOuNDatiON
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Literacy and Essential Skills provide the foundation for
learning all other skills
4 They are needed for work, learning and life
4 We need them to do things in our daily lives as
parents, students, workers, community
members and citizens
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8. sOme examPLes
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4 Reading a bus schedule
4 Reading the newspaper
4 Using a computer
4 Completing an application form
4 Understanding medications and how to take them
4 Voting in federal and provincial elections
4 Understanding the justice system
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9. WHO Has LiteraCy issues?
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4 People who experienced poverty, abuse, neglect, or
discrimination when young may have poor reading
skills due to interrupted schooling
4 Some children had undiagnosed learning disabilities
and never became good readers
4 Seniors with an elementary education - reading skills
not at today’s standard
4 Aboriginal People
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10. WHO Has LiteraCy issues?
1
4 On average, immigrants are better educated now than
in the past
4 However, many come from countries that do not
have English or French as a main language
4 Some immigrants
4 may be literate in first language but struggle
with English or French
4 are not literate in first language and find it
difficult to learn to read in a second language
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11. use it Or LOse it
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4 Skills need to be used to stay sharp
4 Age is not important:
4 children, teens, adults and seniors can lose skills
4 Skills are lost when people read less
4 Instead of reading they:
4 get news from television and radio
4 get their entertainment from TV, movies,
and concerts
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12. LiteraCy aND
esseNtiaL skiLLs
1
4 Essential Skills provide a common language for educators,
employers and service providers
4 Everyone needs Essential Skills to be able to function
effectively at work, at home and in the community
4 Essential Skills are adaptable to all situations
4 Essential Skills help people to be more productive and to
more easily learn new tasks
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13. esseNtiaL skiLLs
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4 Reading Text 4 Working with Others
4 Document Use 4 Continuous Learning
4 Numeracy 4 Thinking Skills
4 Writing 4 Computer Use
4 Oral Communication
For more on essential skills go to hrsdc.gc.ca/essentialskills
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14. reaDiNg text – examPLes
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4 Read and understand information
in written messages and reports
4 Carry out written instructions
4 Read job ads
4 Read product warning labels
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15. WritiNg – examPLes
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4 Write telephone messages
4 Write e-mails
4 Write notes from a meeting
4 Keep a “to do” list
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16. LiteraCy aND HeaLtH
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We need literacy to:
4 find good health services
4 make healthy lifestyle choices
4 understand doctor’s information
4 take medication correctly
4 find and understand health and
safety information
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17. LiteraCy aND tHe
WOrkFOrCe
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We need literacy to:
4 describe our skills and qualities
4 find jobs
4 do tasks in the workplace
4 change jobs
4 get promotions
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18. LiteraCy aND tHe FamiLy
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Parents are a child’s first teacher
Children learn best with supportive families and
caregivers:
4 They follow the example of their
parents / caregivers
4 They need literacy-rich homes
4 They need adults who are comfortable
with the school environment
This helps them to be more successful in school
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19. LiteraCy aND esL
1
4 New immigrants need strong literacy skills to
integrate into Canadian society
4 Some immigrants are highly educated; some
are not – many need support to improve their
literacy skills in English
4 Some immigrants have been in Canada a
long time and can speak well but have
literacy issues
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20. esL LiteraCy LearNers
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4 Less than 6 years of learning in home
country
4 Not able to read their home language
or
Have limited reading skills in home language
4 Use a different alphabet
4 Have 8 years of schooling but have not
developed study skills
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21. LiteraCy CONNeCtiONs
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4 Justice
4 Finance
4 Consumer
4 Social Justice
4 Poverty
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22. Part tWO
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Literacy Facts
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23. CLLN’s LeaDersHiP
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4 14% of working age Canadian adults find
everyday literacy difficult. Another 27%
struggle with more complex materials
4 That’s 9 million adults
4 Over 7 million of them don’t identify literacy
as an issue
4 The number is likely to rise to 15 million over
the next 20 years
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24. LiteraCy LeveLs FOr
CaNaDiaN aDuLts
2
Level 1
Level 4/5 14.6%
19.5%
Level 2
27.3%
Level 3
38.6%
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25. aDuLt LiteraCy aND
LiFe skiLLs LeveLs
2
Level 1 Task
4 Use the label to find out how long you can take
headache pills at any one time
Level 2 Task
4 Look at a magazine to find out about a plant for
the garden – size, sun/shade, zone
Level 3 Task
4 Compare a movie review to see which of four was
most popular
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26. LeveL 1 FaCts
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4 3.1 million adult Canadians read at this level
4 1.4 million of them are immigrants
4 54% are male and 46% are female
4 60% employed,12% unemployed, 28% not actively
seeking employment
4 Education:
4 50% have less than high school
4 30% finished high school
4 20% have post-secondary education
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27. LeveL 2 FaCts
2
4 5.8 million adult Canadians read at this level
4 1.2 million of them are immigrants
4 52% are male and 48% are female
4 70% employed, 8% unemployed, 22% not actively
seeking employment
4 Education:
4 28% have less than high school
4 37% finished high school
4 35% have post-secondary education
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28. LiteraCy iN CaNaDa
2
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29. Part tHree
3
Challenges and Barriers
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30. tHe CHaLLeNges
3
How to:
4 Promote literacy awareness
4 Encourage people to improve their
literacy and essential skills
4 Provide the best programs to meet
people’s needs
4 Provide training for internationally
trained professionals
4 Increase employers’ awareness of
importance of essential skills for employees
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31. Barriers tO JOiNiNg
a PrOgram
3
4 Fear
4 Gaps in education
4 Negative experiences with education
4 Low self esteem
4 Lack of confidence
4 Family circumstances
4 Learning disabilities
4 Poverty
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32. OverCOmiNg Barriers
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Literacy practitioners are often skilled at
helping learners to:
4 Feel accepted
4 Grow in self-esteem
4 Have confidence to try new tasks
4 Learn new skills
4 Reach their literacy goals
4 Have skills to enter chosen transition path
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33. Part FOur
4
Canadian Literacy and
Learning Network
CLLN
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34. rOLe OF CLLN
4
4 Networking
4 Research
4 Government liaison
4 Communication
4 Collaboration
4 Capacity building
4 Learner development
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35. CLLN iNFOrms
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4 Informs and advises the federal government,
policy makers and the general public through:
4 reference groups and advisory committees
4 CLLN website
4 requests for information
4 research
4 project results
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36. CLLN researCH aND PrOJeCts
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Recent projects include:
4 Family Literacy
4 Mapping the Field of Family Literacy in Canada
4 Connecting ESL and Literacy
4 Linkages
4 Accountability
4 examining accountability-related practices in literacy
Proposed projects include:
4 Scan of Literacy and Essential Skills in Canada
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37. CLLN COLLaBOrates
aND sHares
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4 Meets regularly with national literacy
organizations to help improve literacy levels
for adult Canadians
4 Publishes LiteracyExpress for the literacy field
4 Consults and partners with organizations dealing
with justice, health, ESL and family literacy
4 Has a comprehensive website (www.literacy.ca)
that is regularly updated
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38. CLLN aND its NatiONaL
LiteraCy NetWOrk
4
Decoda
Literacy
Solutions
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39. Thank You.
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