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Introduction to Adult Literacy
"Books are the treasured
wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and
nations."
-Henry David Thoreau
Do you have trouble reading the newspaper?
Do you wish you could read to your child?
Do you want to write, but you can’t spell?
Would better reading help you get a better job?
Do you have trouble making change when you shop?
These are questions that people need to ask themselves when thinking about literacy. Many people in our county would answer YES to one or all of them.
The Adult Literacy Committee is focused on improving the reading, writing and basic math skills of adults in Clallam County. We hope to encourage the enjoyment of reading in homes and families as well as improve the literacy of our County’s workforce. We offer free tutoring, opportunities for volunteers, and participate in various community events.
Clallam County Adult Activities
We are currently working on increasing the awareness of County residents on the importance of being able to read and improving the level of literacy in Clallam County. We have produced a series of radio spots and now have newspaper ads in all the local papers. We have been training individual tutors to work with adults who have difficulty with such basic literacy skills as reading, writing and basic math. Our gently-read book donations provide hundreds of free books to anyone who has an interest.
We are also promoting health literacy by helping physicians and medical care providers use clear instructions in language that regular people can understand.
For more
information, contact Crystal at United Way, 360-457-3011.
Articles of Interest
WHAT IS ADULT LITERACY?
Adult literacy is defined as “an individual's ability to read, write,
speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency
necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual, and
in society." In 2003, the National Adult Literacy Survey found that over
11 MILLION English-speaking adults, in America, could not read or write
in English at all! This is about 4% of our adult population and is more
than the total population of Washington State!
In addition to this, those who are FUNCTIONALLY illiterate, make up 34
percent of all adult Americans. Those who are functionally illiterate
can read and write a little bit, and may be able to perform some basic
math, but are counted as illiterate by the standards of today’s
information economy.
When combined with the 4% who can not read and write at all, illiteracy
affects 38% of our great American population! These are people who can
not get ahead in their jobs and lives.
How illiterate is Washington State?
In 1992, in Washington State, 1 and a quarter MILLION people were
classified as functionally illiterate. That was about 23% of the
population at that time. That proportion continues today, in spite of
Seattle being considered one of the most, if not THE most literate city
in the country.
From
“Dumbing Down: The New Illiteracy – A Challenge to the Body
Politic?” by Rodger Doyle, Scientific American, September 2006 and
2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy,
http://nces.ed.gov/naal/
Adult Literacy Monthly Tip
   
Reading out loud to your child just twenty minutes a day will not only improve your child’s vocabulary and love of books, but will also improve your ability to read as well!
Find a Tutor
The Clallam County Literacy Council offers free private (one-on-one)
tutoring for adults, ages 16 and over, who are not currently in school.
Sessions take place in a neutral location at a time that is convenient
to both you and your tutor. Goals are set by you! One to two hours/week
is suggested, but is dependent upon your needs and availability. All of
our tutors are volunteers.
Gain CONFIDENCE and additional SKILLS to develop your POTENTIAL!
Call 360-457-3011 and leave a message for tutoring coordinator, Crystal,
TODAY!
Subjects include: reading, writing, math, GED preparation, and other “life skills” related to literacy.
Become a Tutor!!
To become a volunteer tutor, all you need is patience, flexibility, a
willingness to learn, sensitivity toward your student’s needs, and a
sense of humor.
If you would like to become a volunteer tutor, we will provide basic
training. Tutors work with their students in a neutral location at a
time that is convenient for both student and tutor. We suggest one hour
sessions once or twice per week, depending on your student’s need and
flexibility.
Lots of great FREE information and courses for tutors are available
at the following links:
www.google.com/literacy and
www.thinkfinity.org.
Crystal Sherman
Clallam County Literacy Council
Adult Tutor Coordinator
You can call Crystal by asking for her at the United Way: 360
457-3011.
Resources and Links
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