| All the resources reviewed in this newsletter are available on loan from Literacy B.C. |
| Making Connections | Canadian Literacy Thesaurus | The Tutor's Toolbox |
| Onward and Upward | First Nations Literacy Theme Units | The Job Guide |
| The Peanut Butter and Jelly Guide |
Making Connections: Literacy and EAL (English as an Additional Language) Curriculum from a Feminist Perspective
This book of literacy and EAL curriculum encourages women to think about, and make changes in, their lives.
The book was recently published by the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women (CCLOW), a national feminist organization concerned with learning opportunities for women and the empowerment of women.
Fifteen literacy workers from across Canada created the curriculum on topics such as: herstory, role models, self-esteem, cross-cultural awareness, safer sex, songs about women's issues, and women's way of learning. Each topic contains readings and activities for literacy and EAL learners. A cassette tape of songs used in the text accompanies the book.
Much of the curriculum is designed to help women who have experienced violence or abuse take part in literacy programs. The book is also designed to help instructors and tutors deal with these painful issues by exploring the links among feminism, literacy, violence, and women-centered curriculum.
Order Making the Connections for $32.04 (including GST and shipping) from:
CCLOW
47 Main StreetToronto, Ontario M4E 2V6
Phone:(416) 699-1909
Fax: (416) 699-2145
Email: cclow@web.apc.org
Canadian Literacy Thesaurus: Second Edition
A second edition of the Canadian Literacy ThesaurusIThesaurus canadien d'alphabetisation - a bilingual tool designed to help organize and find documents in the adult literacy field was recently published.
The thesaurus was produced by the Canadian Literacy Thesaurus Coalition, with the assistance of an advisory committee representing English, French and bilingual members of the Canadian literacy community.
The thesaurus was first published in 1992. The second edition contains 270 new descriptors for a total of 3,800 descriptors in English and French (1900 in each language).
The thesaurus is intended to be used to search for information in existing sources such as printed or computerized indexes. It can also be used to create new sources of information, such as bibliographies and reading lists, and to index documents about literacy. The thesaurus will be useful "to all individuals who wish to access literacy collections, index their own materials, or familiarize themselves with Canadian terminology in the field."
Order the thesaurus for $40.00 (including GST and shipping) from:
Centre FORA
533 Notre-Dame Street
Sudbury, Ontario P3C 5L1Phone:(705) 673-7033
Fax: (705) 673-5520
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Thanks to the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training for giving Literacy B.C. a grant to reprint The Tutor's Toolbox . The Toolbox is a product of the B.C. literacy cost-shared program. This handy field guide makes a great gift for tutors. It presents 25 useful techniques for tutoring literacy and ESL learners. The Tutor's Toolbox was widely distributed to the B.C. literacy field this fall. We still have copies to give away. Phone: 1-800-663-1293. |
Onward and Upward: Moving Towards a Goal with Adult Basic Education: ABE Student Outcomes Project, 1994-95 Report
This is the report of the second phase of a research project designed to obtain information from students about how ABE can better meet their needs.
The ABE Student Outcomes Project is a three-phase project managed by a steering committee of ABE faculty and administrators from B.C. community colleges, with the assistance of personnel from the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training, and the Advanced Education Council of B.C. A report of the initial pilot phase of the project was published in 1995.
The second phase of the project tracked the progress of over 2,000 new students at 12 B.C. colleges and institutes over 13 months. The students were surveyed three times between September 1994 and October 1995.
Some of the report's findings are:
- Why do students enroll in ABE?
The majority (75%) of students have long-term occupational goals. They see their participation in ABE as a deliberate move forward towards a new goal, such as qualifying for a particular program or preparing for a career.- What do students gain from ABE?
Almost all students found their ABE program useful. 97% would recommend the program to a friend. Specifically, students reported that they had: developed better study skills (82%); improved their self-esteem and confidence (80%); increased their math skills (75%); and gained more choices in life (74%), among other results.- What problems do students face? Students reported that life outside of school presented the most significant obstacles to their continued study and success. ABE students need to manage conflicting demands on their time: 41 % of students were employed while attending classes, with 29% working more than 15 hours every week. Specifically, students had problems such as: managing home and family responsibilities (62%); finances (25%); finding quiet home study space (22%); and fear of not succeeding (12%).
- What were students doing 13 months after starting ABE?The report identifies two distinct groups of ABE students with different profiles after 13 months.
After 13 months, the majority of "shortstay" students - in ABE up to six months - were employed. Of those who were still studying, 41 % were taking university level courses. "Shortstay" students tend to be younger, to work more while going to school, and to move into university level programs quite quickly.
After 13 months, the majority of "longstay" students - in ABE seven months or longer - were still going to school. 49% were still in ABE. "Long-stay" students generally attend full-time and are more likely to require financial assistance.
- How can ABE be improved?
The report suggests there is a need for support networks to help ABE students manage their lives while they attend school. For example, students could benefit from counselling when they start ABE to assist them in dealing with issues such as finances and chiidcare. Students beginning at the fundamental and intermediate levels of ABE especially require a more supportive environment.Copies of the full report and a summary are available free of charge from:
The Advanced Education Council of B.C.
Suite 950 - 409 Granville Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1T2
Phone:(604) 895-5080
Fax: (604) 895-5088Copies of the summary are also available from Literacy B.C.
Phone: 1-800-663-1293.
First Nations Literacy Theme Units: An lnstructor's Guide
This book contains five literacy theme units designed to provide First Nations adults with the opportunity to examine their place in the world as they improve their literacy skills.
The book was funded through the B.C. literacy cost-shared program and sponsored by the Association of Aboriginal Post Secondary Institutes (AAPSI) Education Resource Centre; the Open Learning Agency; and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre.
The theme units focus on: learning how to communicate effectively; exploring Canadian history from a First Nations perspective; researching the history and development of First Nations communities; introducing learners to literature through the works of First Nations writers; and making sense of the B.C. legal system.
Copies of the guide are available free of charge whiie supplies last. Contact:
Maureen Malcolm
Open Learning Agency
4355 Mathissi Place
Burnaby, B.C. V5G 4S8Fax: (604) 431-3388
The Job Guide: A Toot for Career Planning in B. C.
This guide to job and career options in B.C. is written in plain language for job seekers with moderate reading skills.
The Job Guide was first published in 1992 and funded by the B.C. literacy cost-shared program. This revised edition (1995) was funded by the Adjustment Programs Branch of the (then) Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour.
The Job Guide focuses on jobs that require two years or less of full-time post-secondary education (or the parttime equivalent), or apprenticeship training. It includes 25 job groupings displayed in two-page spreads. Each spread provides brief descriptions of jobs in the grouping, their educational requirements, an occupational profile, and information on the job market.
Job areas in the guide include: communications, construction, fishing, food services, mechanics, office/ business administration, and recreation/tourism.
The revised edition gives updated job market information on the projected growth rate and expected annual openings for each job until 2001. It also indicates possible avenues for self-employment.
Order The Job Guide for $7.25 (plus GST and shipping) from:
Open Learning Agency Marketing Department
4355 Mathissi Place
Bumaby, B.C. V5G 4S8Phone:1-800-663-1653 toll free in B.C.
Fax: (604) 431-3381
The Peanut Butter and Jelly Guide to Organizing a Homework Club
This little booklet will help you organize a homework club for kids in your neighbourhood.
The booklet was produced by the Frontier College Youth Service Canada (YSC) project. Frontier College is one of Canada's oldest adult education organizations and has been assisting people to improve their reading and writing skills since 1899. The YSC project runs 12 homework clubs in Toronto.
Homework clubs provide a safe place for kids to do their homework with support from adult volunteers. The clubs are designed to help kids who hate homework and usually have trouble reading and writing.
Order the guide for $5.00 (plus GST) from:
Frontier College Press
35 Jackes Avenue
Toronto Ontario M4T 1E2Phone:1-800-555-6523
Fax: (416) 323-3522
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