Non-formal education approaches to teaching literacy

The paper, which was originally delivered by Oxenham at the Michigan State University international conference on non-formal education in 1974, was selected for this series because it addresses, in a brief space, several very key issues. It summarizes the conclusion of major research on the characteristics of adult learners in literacy programs. These characteristics must form the base upon which any new and innovative programs are built. Oxenham then provides a brief recipe for successful programs in literacy instruction, followed by longer discussion of whether literacy instruction is a valid or desirable component of non-formal education. The final portion of the paper examines the applicability of observations about learners in literacy programs to other forms of adult, non-formal education.