Dedicated to positively impacting the lives of adults through improved literacy.
Click here for a Learner Application or call 231-766-5040.
Possible signs of illiteracy
Illiterate or semiliterate adults rarely ask for help with their literacy skills. Often they might have some other reason for why they cannot complete a task or they will try to avoid a task while in your presence.
Examples:
I forgot my glasses so….
I will fill this out later or at home…
Other possible signs
Not showing up for meetings that were only posted in writing
Asking for an explanation of printed instructions
Low self-esteem
How to help an adult with low literacy skills
A caseworker/family advocate/teacher or other concerned person should bring up the issue of literacy. For referring agencies, it could be part of the normal discourse during the initial contact meeting or shortly thereafter. For example, it could be brought up when discussing the many different resources that you have available to help your clients. Then, based on later meetings and interactions with the client, if you suspect problems with literacy the topic should be approached again. Ideally the client should be approached in a one-on-one setting.
If you believe a client, family member or friend is willing and ready to take the step of participating in regular one-on-one tutoring sessions, please encourage them to contact Read Muskegon. Or, make the initial contact with Read Muskegon yourself and we can offer suggestions on how to talk to someone in need of tutoring services.
Read Muskegon
PO Box 1312
Muskegon, MI 49443-1312
Phone: (231) 766-5040
E-mail: litcoordinator@readmuskegon.org
