functional illiteracy in germany
TRANSCRIPT
FUNCTIONAL ILLITERACY IN GERMANY KIRSTEN BRÖCKER, LANDESVERBAND DER VOLKSHOCHSCHULEN
SACHSEN-ANHALT E.V., ALPHA-NETZWERK
NETZWERK ALPHA
- BMBF project
- Started in October 2012
- Project administration:
- DLR
- until September 2014
MAIN POINTS
What is literacy/illitercacy/functional illiteracy?
- Definition
- Types of illiteracy
- Different levels of illiteracy
- Main study dealing with illiteracy
- leo.-Level-One Study (University of Hamburg)
FLIPCHART/CARDS
Functional illiteracy
What is functional illiteracy?
What is typical for illiterate people?
Is the topic present in media/public discussion?
How is the situation in your country?
DEFINING AND CONCEPTUALIZING
LITERACY
For most of its history in English, the word
‘literate’ meant to be ‘familiar with literature’
or, more generally, ‘well educated, learned’.
Only since the late nineteenth century has it
also come to refer to the abilities to read and
write text, while maintaining its broader
meaning of being ‘knowledgeable or educated
in a particular field or fields’.
LITERACY: ABILITY TO READ AND WRITE
Literacy is the ability to read and write. The
inability to do so is called illiteracy or
analphabetism.
Literacy is ability to use written language
actively and passively.
Types of analphabetism: See your copies
DIFFERENT TERMS
Analphabetism
Literacy/Illiteracy (Health Literacy, Financial Literacy, Family Literacy)
Basic Education
SOME HAVE ARGUED THAT THE DEFINITION
OF LITERACY SHOULD BE EXPANDED:
"The ability to read, write
and use numeracy, to handle information, to
express ideas and opinions, to make decisions
and solve problems, as family members,
workers, citizens and lifelong learners"
THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC
AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)
DEFINES LITERACY AS
the "ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society".
LITERACY IS CONSIDERED TO BE
- a measure of the value of a region's human capital:
- Literate people:
- - can be more easily trained than illiterate people
- - have a higher socioeconomic status
- - enjoy better health and employment prospects.
- Literacy increases job opportunities, access to higher education and participation in all parts of social, political and cultural life
BROADER SENSE OF LITERACY
The word ‘literacy’ has begun to be used in a
much broader, metaphorical sense, to refer to
other skills and competencies, for example
‘information literacy’, ‘visual literacy’, ‘media
literacy’ and ‘scientific literacy’.
It is argued that literacy includes the cultural,
political, and historical contexts of the
community in which communication takes place.
FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATE
Definition: A person is functionally illiterate who
cannot engage in all those activities in which
literacy is required for effective functioning of
his group and community and also for enabling
him to continue to use reading, writing and
calculation for his own and the community’s
development.
HISTORY
- „Literacy“ is a public theme since the 1970s
- UNESCO: tried to raise awareness, fight poverty,
alphabetisation campaigns
- Weltbildungskonferenz 1985
- United Nations Decade of Literacy
2003-2012: challenge to increase the literacy
rate worldwide
IN GERMANY
- No public theme until the 1970s
- New technologies, changes at
the job market
- After the German reunification – the „problem“ is
actual/current in Eastern Germany, too
- First conference1980 in Bremen
- Alphabetisation courses at VHS, writing classes,
publications and professional journals came out
IN GERMANY
- 1997 Bundesverbandes Alphabetisierung und
Grundbildung e.V. was founded (German
Association for Alphabetisation and basic
Education)
- Teaching materials, course concepts, public
relations
- United Nations Decade of Literacy:
National Plan of Action in Germany
IN GERMANY
- 2003 conference in Bernburg: Bernburger
Thesen
- campaign: „Mein Schlüssel zur Welt“ (Literacy
as a key to the world)
- Self help groups are founded
- Literacy as an object of research and studies
LEO.-LEVEL-ONE-STUDY (2011)
Study of the University
Of Hamburg
Prof. Anke Grotlüschen
Dr. Wibke Riekmann
http://blogs.epb.uni-hamburg.de/leo/files/2011/12/leo-Press-brochure15-12-2011.pdf
GERMAN POPULATION AND ILLITERACY
2.3 Mio. people
Can read and write only simple words, but not sentences.
5.2 Mio. people
Can read and write words and short sentences but not texts.
Together: 7.5 Mio. people
Functional Illiterate / Alpha Level 1-3
+
13.3 Mio. people
Poor writing skills / Alpha-Level 4
ALPHA LEVELS AND POPULATION
GENDER: MORE MEN
AGE GROUPS: MAJORITY IS 50-64 YEARS OLD
LITERACY ACCORDING TO EDUCATIONAL
QUALIFICATION
LITERACY ACCORDING TO OCCUPATIONAL
STATUS: 57% ARE EMPLOYED
DEMOGRAPHIE ANALPHABETISMUS
WHY IS BASIC EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
- 20% of the apprentices are
not ready and qualified for
vocational training (lack of soft
skills and basic education)
- Demographic development:
- Lack of skilled and qualified
- workers in Germany
- (not only academics)
WHY IS BASIC EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
- low-threshold trainings/further education
trainings focussing on basic education are
underrepresented in most companies
(compared to trainings for managers and
leadership trainings)
APPROACH: COMPANIES AND EMPLOYERS
- Illiterate people work in typical fields within the job market: transport, cleaning, agriculture and forestry, logistics, storekeepers, kitchen helps, vehicle drivers, caretakers
Responsibility of companies
and employers
Personnel managers,
placement officers at jobcenters
could be „key“ persons
PARTICIPATION
Participation
Decisions
Experiences
Knowledge
Action
CONSEQUENCES OF ILLITERACY/ 4 GROUPS
How does illiteracy affect the everyday life?
- financial status, work, job
- family, relationships, friendships, social
contacts, children
- culture, politics, society, participation, media
and information technology
- - alimentation, health, emotions, psychological
conditions
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!