Partner Assisted Learning (PAL)
Adult Literacy
CCPL’s Partner Assisted Learning trains volunteer tutors who work with learners one-on-one or in small groups. The program currently has tutors working with learners. The successes are quite literally life-changing!
Why is literacy a problem for some adults?
Everyone goes to school or has been to school, so you might think everyone would have good reading skills. One major factor is many adults left school with low reading skills. In the Cariboo, 22 per cent of adults 21-54 years old don’t have school completion. It was only 10 years ago that B.C.’s minister of education said publicly that, “Literacy is not part of the mandate of the Ministry of Education.” That has changed, but there’s still a lot of catching up to do.
Literacy is a “use it or lose it” skill. That means people who have difficulty reading or don’t enjoy reading, tend to avoid it. As they get older, their skills get even weaker. The most recent major study says over 40 per cent of adult British Columbian’s don’t have the reading skills they need to get by in today’s society. Filling out forms, reading schedules or even menus, and understanding instructions are all difficult for many adults.
Literacy is a “use it or lose it” skill. That means people who have difficulty reading or don’t enjoy reading, tend to avoid it. As they get older, their skills get even weaker. The most recent major study says over 40 per cent of adult British Columbian’s don’t have the reading skills they need to get by in today’s society. Filling out forms, reading schedules or even menus, and understanding instructions are all difficult for many adults.
Quotes from CCPL Learners
Nancy Balfour an adult learner.
"I know that the PAL team are there for me. If I can do it you can do it!"
Jim an adult learner in the Cariboo.
"When I was young I shut myself off from learning. Then I learned I had a reading problem. I had to learn how to face it. It’s still scary sometimes, especially the reading. It really bothers me."
"I know that the PAL team are there for me. If I can do it you can do it!"
Jim an adult learner in the Cariboo.
"When I was young I shut myself off from learning. Then I learned I had a reading problem. I had to learn how to face it. It’s still scary sometimes, especially the reading. It really bothers me."
To learn more about PAL in Williams Lake or 100 Mile House;
lory@caribooliteracy.comIn 100 Mile House contact:
Lory Rochon phone at 250-395-0655
email at lory@caribooliteracy.com
Lory Rochon phone at 250-395-0655
email at lory@caribooliteracy.com
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