Publication: Native Language Literacy Instruction for Adults: Patterns, Issues, and Promises

• Gillespie, Marilyn K.

The profile of native language literacy instruction for
adults looks at a variety of trends and issues in the
design and improvement of such programs. The first section
discusses what has been learned in the last few years about
the kinds of instruction offered, including basic program
characteristics and models for curriculum, instruction, and
assessment. Six programs are described in this section. The
second section focuses on the rationale for offering native
language literacy instruction to adults, examining
sociopolitical, linguistic, sociocultural, and
sociocontextual reasons and the importance of literacy for
content learning. The third section highlights key areas in
which even limited investment of resources can bring program
improvement. These areas include demonstration projects,
development of a common data bank, and staff development
activities. Finally a research agenda is outlined. Research
areas of particular interest include transfer of native
language literacy knowledge and skills to a second
language, collaborative program-based research, language
use in communities and classrooms, teacher inquiry and
action research, longitudinal studies, and surveys.
Contains 75 references. (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse
on Literacy Education)