Assessment

This article examines numeracy for adults learning English as a second language (ESL) as well as for those who teach them. It focuses on learners with low literacy skills and provides curriculum ideas and resources for use in the classroom. While many suggestions are based on the author's experiences in teaching adult immigrants in Canada, they are applicable to adult ESL instruction in other English-speaking countries.

The practical guide is intended as a resource book. It has been organized according to the process involved in developing an understanding of family literacy and initiating or building a program.
For more information, contact:
the Family Literacy Action Group of Alberta
200 Horticulture Station Road East
Brooks, Alberta T1R 1E5
(403) 362-1677 phone
(403) 362-8926 fax

The information contained in this report illustrates the literacy related competencies of ten skill training programs and their corresponding occupations. The report can be used in several ways. It can be read in the sequence in which the project was conducted - literature review, methodology, presentation of results and strategies to improve instruction.

One of the most important elements in setting up a workplace basic skills program is the assessment of the individual employee. Because this field is still evolving, research on different “assessment instruments” used in these programs is sketchy. However, evaluating the appropriateness of existing literacy instruments for use in workplace basic skills programs may provide some insight into further test development strategies.