Literacy Literacy TrainingTraining

By By Ardis Dick StenbakkenArdis Dick Stenbakken

Leadership Certification Level 2Leadership Certification Level 2General ConferenceGeneral ConferenceWomen’s MinistriesWomen’s Ministries

So You Want to So You Want to Begin a Literacy Begin a Literacy

ProgramProgram

You are to be You are to be congratulated. You congratulated. You

want to do want to do something that can something that can make a difference make a difference

and fill a great need.and fill a great need.

Christian Christian LiteracyLiteracy

1.1. Is a tool for the evangelist—providing Is a tool for the evangelist—providing an ideal climate for conversion and an ideal climate for conversion and church planting;church planting;

2.2. Opens the pages of the Bible and Opens the pages of the Bible and other Christian literature to both non-other Christian literature to both non-Christians and growing converts;Christians and growing converts;

3.3. Is a door into nations and parts of Is a door into nations and parts of nations where other types of nations where other types of missions are unwelcome;missions are unwelcome;

4.4. Provides a satisfying activity for local Provides a satisfying activity for local Christians who are eager to help lift Christians who are eager to help lift up their own people to a better life;up their own people to a better life;

5.5. Expresses compassion, Expresses compassion, demonstrating that Christians are still demonstrating that Christians are still in the Samaritan business.in the Samaritan business.

““The days are The days are coming,” declares coming,” declares

the Sovereign Lord, the Sovereign Lord, “When I will send a “When I will send a famine through the famine through the

land—not a famine of land—not a famine of food or a thirst for food or a thirst for water, but a famine water, but a famine of hearing the words of hearing the words

of the Lord.”of the Lord.”Amos 8:11Amos 8:11

Why Literacy is Why Literacy is Important for the Important for the

ChurchChurch

““Christ’s method alone will give Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the true success in reaching the

people. The Savior mingled with people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their men as one who desired their

good. He showed His sympathy good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their for them, ministered to their

needs, and won their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, confidence. Then He bade them,

‘Follow Me.’”‘Follow Me.’” E. G. White, E. G. White, Ministry of HealingMinistry of Healing, p. 143. , p. 143.

Why Literacy is Why Literacy is Important for the Important for the

ChurchChurchNon-readers are captive, prisoners of their Non-readers are captive, prisoners of their

handicap. As we carry out Christ’s work, we handicap. As we carry out Christ’s work, we too can say:too can say:

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me,The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed mebecause he has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.to preach good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the

prisonersprisonersand recovery of sight for the blindand recovery of sight for the blind

to release the oppressed,to release the oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isa. 61:1, 2 and Luke 4: 18, 19, NIVIsa. 61:1, 2 and Luke 4: 18, 19, NIV..

There are other ways in which There are other ways in which Bible literacy is important to Bible literacy is important to

the church:the church: 1.1. It gives church members a way to minister to It gives church members a way to minister to

others in a non-threatening way. others in a non-threatening way.

2.2. The non-Christian will know the tutor cares about The non-Christian will know the tutor cares about them because of the help they are receiving. them because of the help they are receiving.

3.3. It strengthens the existing church if church It strengthens the existing church if church members learn to read. members learn to read.

4.4. Literacy programs can build non-political Literacy programs can build non-political cooperation with governments because almost all cooperation with governments because almost all governments want their people to be able to read. governments want their people to be able to read.

5.5. It is something that can be done right in the local It is something that can be done right in the local church. church.

Why Literacy Is Why Literacy Is Important for Important for

Women’s Women’s MinistriesMinistries

Of the one billion Of the one billion adults who cannot adults who cannot read, the majority read, the majority

are women.are women.

Benefits to WomenBenefits to Womeno lower birthrates (smaller families)lower birthrates (smaller families)o with lower birthrates, the parents are with lower birthrates, the parents are

better able to provide Christian better able to provide Christian educationeducation

o the children have improved educational the children have improved educational abilitiesabilities

o decrease in maternal mortalitydecrease in maternal mortalityo later marriageslater marriageso overall improvement in family healthoverall improvement in family healtho decrease in infant mortalitydecrease in infant mortalityo a greater sense of personal self-wortha greater sense of personal self-worth

Benefits to WomenBenefits to Womeno an ability to read Scripturean ability to read Scriptureo an ability to assume responsibility for personal an ability to assume responsibility for personal

spiritual choicesspiritual choiceso an expanded influence in teaching children an expanded influence in teaching children

spiritual valuesspiritual valueso an ability to become involved in the church’s an ability to become involved in the church’s

missionmissiono a greater possibility of becoming financially a greater possibility of becoming financially

stablestableo increased employment choices and productivityincreased employment choices and productivityo the ability to provide financial support to the the ability to provide financial support to the

churchchurcho more involvement in community developmentmore involvement in community development

Obstacles for Obstacles for WomenWomen

A.A. Some governments do Some governments do not yet feel that education not yet feel that education is of paramount importance is of paramount importance for women.for women.

B. Many women have a B. Many women have a difficulty finding the time difficulty finding the time and energy for schooling and energy for schooling even if given the even if given the opportunity.opportunity.

C. The literacy worker will C. The literacy worker will have to plan the program so have to plan the program so that the needs of the that the needs of the women are taken into women are taken into consideration.consideration.

What is What is Literacy?Literacy?

Literacy and illiteracy Literacy and illiteracy are are notnot opposite poles, opposite poles,

but a continuum. In but a continuum. In order to be truly order to be truly literate, a person literate, a person

needs to be able to needs to be able to function at whatever function at whatever

goal level that goal level that individual has set.individual has set.

Who Needs Who Needs It?It?

•Illiterates—adults who cannot Illiterates—adults who cannot function at a standard level of function at a standard level of reading or writing reading or writing •Those who need to improve their Those who need to improve their skill level to be able to get a better skill level to be able to get a better job job •Second language illiterates—they Second language illiterates—they cannot read or write in the cannot read or write in the national language of government national language of government and commerceand commerce•Pre-literates—small children Pre-literates—small children

How Adults How Adults LearnLearn

•RespectRespect•ImmediacyImmediacy•RelevanceRelevance•Hands-on Hands-on learninglearning

Instructional Instructional

StrategyStrategy AverageAverage

Retention Retention RateRate

LectureLecture 5% 5%

ReadingReading 10% 10%

Audio Visual Audio Visual 20%20%

Discussion Group Discussion Group 50%50%

Practice Group Practice Group 75%75%

Teach Others/Teach Others/

Immediate Used Immediate Used Learning Learning

90%90%

Here are some Here are some guidelines for adults guidelines for adults

learners:learners:

• Speak softly. Be courteous and respectful.Speak softly. Be courteous and respectful.• Always encourage your student. Always encourage your student. • Keep humble, showing honor to your student. Keep humble, showing honor to your student. Treat her as an Treat her as an equal; equal; never appear superior.never appear superior.• Never laugh at mistakes or allow others to Never laugh at mistakes or allow others to laugh. laugh. • Love your student and tell her you are sure she Love your student and tell her you are sure she can learn quickly. can learn quickly. • When you are unable to teach, either find a When you are unable to teach, either find a substitute teacher or plan with your student well substitute teacher or plan with your student well in advance to teach her at another time.in advance to teach her at another time.• Sit beside your student. Try to make her feel Sit beside your student. Try to make her feel you are her equal, not superior. you are her equal, not superior.

How to BeginHow to Begin

Some of the important elements of Some of the important elements of adult education are:adult education are:

• Timing and duration of instructionTiming and duration of instruction• Instructional materialsInstructional materials• Teacher recruitment and trainingTeacher recruitment and training• Participant motivationParticipant motivation• Supervision and monitoringSupervision and monitoring• Connection to other development Connection to other development

activitiesactivities• Government/NGO (non-Government/NGO (non-

governmental organization) governmental organization) collaborationcollaboration

• Post-literacy activitiesPost-literacy activities

Begin the Actual Begin the Actual Planning:Planning:

1. Decide what the language of instruction 1. Decide what the language of instruction will be.will be.2. Find literacy materials. 2. Find literacy materials. 3. Recruit tutors. 3. Recruit tutors. 4. Find someone to train your tutors. 4. Find someone to train your tutors. 5. Decide how you will recruit your students. 5. Decide how you will recruit your students. 6. Decide how you will test and place your 6. Decide how you will test and place your students.students.7. Decide if you will charge the students 7. Decide if you will charge the students anything. anything. 8. Decide where you will have class. 8. Decide where you will have class. 9. Decide when you will meet and for how 9. Decide when you will meet and for how long. long. 10. Plan for registration and record keeping: 10. Plan for registration and record keeping: who will do it and how?who will do it and how?11. Budget. 11. Budget. 12. Begin!12. Begin!

For the TutorFor the TutorA. Once again, your relationship with your A. Once again, your relationship with your student is going to be the most important student is going to be the most important factor in your teaching. factor in your teaching. B. According to one study of literacy B. According to one study of literacy programs, the most important teacher programs, the most important teacher behavior is simply showing up for class. behavior is simply showing up for class. C. If the attendance is not what is expected C. If the attendance is not what is expected or the drop-out rate high or early, it would or the drop-out rate high or early, it would be wise to find out what the reasons are be wise to find out what the reasons are and do what can be done to adjust the and do what can be done to adjust the program to overcome these problems. program to overcome these problems.

D. For the most part, a program that D. For the most part, a program that teaches a whole language approach is the teaches a whole language approach is the most successful.most successful.

E. For most adults, after a few weeks of study, motivation E. For most adults, after a few weeks of study, motivation can wane. can wane.

F. Before a literacy program begins, or in the first session F. Before a literacy program begins, or in the first session with a student, it is important to talk about commitment. with a student, it is important to talk about commitment.

G. A good literacy curriculum puts as much stress on G. A good literacy curriculum puts as much stress on comprehension as it does on oral reading. comprehension as it does on oral reading.

H. If possible, have nametags for each person on the first H. If possible, have nametags for each person on the first day. day.

I. Many adults in Third World countries come to class I. Many adults in Third World countries come to class never having held a pencil. never having held a pencil.

J. You will also want to give each student a folder. J. You will also want to give each student a folder.

K. Before you teach each lesson, be sure to read over the K. Before you teach each lesson, be sure to read over the lesson you plan to teach. lesson you plan to teach.

L. Assign homework for your student after each lesson. L. Assign homework for your student after each lesson.

M. Read to your students. M. Read to your students.

Here are several other Here are several other tested and tried tested and tried suggestions:suggestions:

• Say as little as possible.Say as little as possible.• Never say, “No, that is wrong,” or Never say, “No, that is wrong,” or

“Don’t you know that?” If you ask a “Don’t you know that?” If you ask a question and there is no answer for question and there is no answer for several seconds, help your student to several seconds, help your student to answer the question by herself. Only if answer the question by herself. Only if necessary, tell it to her.necessary, tell it to her.

• Ask only questions your student should Ask only questions your student should be able to answer. be able to answer.

• Never ask the same exact question of Never ask the same exact question of your student twice.your student twice.

• Do not repeat a word after your student Do not repeat a word after your student when she has read it correctly. This when she has read it correctly. This may irritate an adult. Do not bore her may irritate an adult. Do not bore her by telling her what she already knows.by telling her what she already knows.

Teaching Teaching Without a BookWithout a Book

Your most effective Your most effective teaching is going to be teaching is going to be that which is student-that which is student-

centered. In other centered. In other words, you are teaching words, you are teaching

the student what she the student what she wants to learn at that wants to learn at that

moment.moment.

Post-Literacy Post-Literacy ProgramsPrograms

Most adults will Most adults will retain what they retain what they learn in literacy learn in literacy

classes, but much of classes, but much of the long-term the long-term

success depends on success depends on support after the support after the basic program. basic program.

What About What About Second Language Second Language

Literacy?Literacy?It is beyond the scope of this It is beyond the scope of this seminar to give information seminar to give information regarding second language regarding second language

training. Nevertheless, anything training. Nevertheless, anything that applies to budgeting, that applies to budgeting,

proposal writing, how adults proposal writing, how adults learn, etc., would apply to learn, etc., would apply to

second language programs as second language programs as well as to basic literacy well as to basic literacy

programs.programs.

Literacy for the Literacy for the FutureFuture

• Read to yourselfRead to yourself• Read to a childRead to a child• Read to a shut-inRead to a shut-in• Create literacy awareness in Create literacy awareness in

your congregationyour congregation• Find out about literacy Find out about literacy

programs in your areaprograms in your area• Assess what type of program is Assess what type of program is

still neededstill needed• Make a financial contribution Make a financial contribution

to a literacy programto a literacy program• Set up a programSet up a program

•Provide tutoring space in your churchProvide tutoring space in your church•Become a tutorBecome a tutor•Direct a programDirect a program•Drive a student to classDrive a student to class•Provide babysitting service during Provide babysitting service during the tutoring sessionthe tutoring session•Give a gift of reading materialsGive a gift of reading materials•Get involved in your community’s Get involved in your community’s education systemeducation system•Be knowledgeable about your local Be knowledgeable about your local board of educationboard of education•Advocate equal education for allAdvocate equal education for all