Well to get back to learner engagement - how does how the learners view 
themselves interact with all the other factors that Hal refers to? Given 
that the "context of the adult literacy education classroom shapes 
learners' engagement in instruction" is the context powerful enough to 
"overcome" what the learner brings especially if it is not something that 
the educators expect?
Toni-Ann

KentuckyAt 12:40 PM 6/29/2006, you wrote:


>Perhaps we need an "illiterates anonymous".

>

>Cheers from Chiswick,

>

>John

>

>John Nissen

>Cloudworld Ltd - http://www.cloudworld.co.uk

>maker of the assistive reader, WordAloud.

>Try WordAloud with synthetic phonics:

>http://www.cloudworld.co.uk/teaching-synthetic-phonics.htm

>Tel: +44 208 742 3170  Fax: +44 208 742 0202

>Email: info at cloudworld.co.uk

>

>

>

>----- Original Message -----

>From: "Toni-Ann Mills" <tamill2 at uky.edu>

>To: "The Focus on Basics Discussion List" <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>

>Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 3:06 PM

>Subject: [FocusOnBasics 380] Re: FOB article on self-esteem

>

>

> > Hi

> > This is Toni-Ann from Kentucky.  It is interesting that we just had a

> > similar discussion here yesterday with a number of people, including a

> > legislator interested in how we tap the community who most needs literacy

> > services.  One of the contributors to the discussion provided anecdotal

> > evidence of people he has worked with who believed that they were the only

> > people in their community who had literacy problems. He was convinced that

> > it was not so much a self-esteem issue but more  that people viewed their

> > lack of literacy skills like a taboo disease - something they should cover

> > up, not talk about and not seek help through public areas.  Those with low

> > levels of literacy often learn remarkable coping skills which for them are

> > easier to build and maintain than it is to build and grow literacy skills.

> > So - what can be done to assure these people that they are not alone and

> > that there are resources available that will provide more services to them

> > than continuing to "hide" a problem that in their minds exist for them

> > alone.

> > Toni-Ann

> >

> > At 02:57 PM 6/27/2006, you wrote:

> >>There is another consideration, as well. I've worked with adolescents and

> >>adults who experience high self-esteem when it comes to working on cars,

> >>playing the guitar, or cooking, etc., but when it comes to reading, it's

> >>an entirely different story. Self-esteem seems to fluctuate dependent upon

> >>how comfortable one is with his/her skills/attributes in that area. Just a

> >>thouoght. barb given

> >>

> >>Barbara K. Given, Ph.D.

> >>Director, Adolescent and Adult Learning Research Center

> >>Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, and

> >>Director, Center for Honoring Individual Learning Diversity, an

> >>International Learning Styles Center

> >>George Mason University

> >>Fairfax, VA 22030-4444

> >>Fax: 703-993-4325

> >>Ph:  703-993-4406

>

>----------------------------------------------------

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Toni-Ann Mills
CCLD Director - Adult Education
Phone (859) 257-6127
Fax (859) 323 3963
email: tamill2 at uky.edu

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