Family Literacy in Canada

Shohet, Linda

doi:10.4324/9780203841495.ch20

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Establishment of the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) within a federal ministry in 1988 marked a highlight in Canadian family literacy programs, providing national recognition and resourcing of family literacy programing. Until its demise in 2007, the NLS played a major role in funding programs and research, heightening the national profile of the family literacy movement (Shohet, 2012). Despite the loss of a federal ministerial base, family-focused early learning programs continue to be offered, but with numerous challenges.…”

Section: Context Of the Study And Review Of The Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This provided much needed information for informing practice and guiding future research. Since these reviews, the loss of federal funding to literacy agencies and organizations has been substantial, resulting in the closure or reduction some of these agencies and impacting how family programing is supported, in Canada (Shohet, 2012). While international research on family literacy program models and programmatic issues continues to evolve (Ihmeideh & Al-Maadadi, 2020; Rabkin et al, 2018; Swain & Cara, 2019), there is little current research addressing these topics in the Canadian context.…”

Section: Introduction and Purpose Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Family-Focused Early Learning Programing: Access, Opportunities, and Issues in one Canadian Context

Doyle

2021

Sage Open

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Family-focused early learning programs aim to assist parents in supporting their young children language and literacy development. This study examined program access and learning opportunities for diverse families across a wide range of community-based settings in one eastern Canadian province. As well, the study examined practitioners’ perspectives on issues related to program development and implementation. Primarily through surveys, practitioners provided data on more half of all community-based programs in the province. The findings of the study showed that most programs offered a form of parent and child focused drop-in play as the core of their programing. Few programs offered a more formalized parent-facilitator learning component as is sometimes found in other jurisdictions. The issues and challenges in programing identified by practitioners included attracting participants, maintaining funding and expanding program activities, and staff training to expand and enhance programing to meet the needs of families. These issues are discussed in light of current public policy and practice.

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Section: Context Of the Study And Review Of The Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction and Purpose Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Family-Focused Early Learning Programing: Access, Opportunities, and Issues in one Canadian Context

Doyle

2021

Sage Open

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“…This approach recognizes that different kinds of literacy are used in different domains. For instance, navigating the health care system requires knowledge about particular kinds of health-related texts (Shohet, 2002), including intake forms, prescriptions, and government assistance forms. A sociocultural approach also recognizes the increased use of digital literacies (Lankshear & Knobel, 2008), which are becoming an increasing part of the health care system.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Health Literacy and ESL

Más

Mein

Fuentes

et al. 2012

Health Promotion Practice

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Adult Hispanic immigrants are at a greater risk of experiencing the negative outcomes related to low health literacy, as they confront cultural and language barriers to the complex and predominately monolingual English-based U.S. health system. One approach that has the potential for simultaneously addressing the health, literacy, and language needs of Hispanics is the combination of health literacy and English as a second language (ESL) instruction. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the feasibility of using ESL instruction as a medium for improving health literacy among Hispanic immigrants. Objectives included the development, implementation, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary health literacy/ESL curriculum that integrates theories of health literacy and health behavior research and practice, sociocultural theories of literacy and communication, and adult learning principles. This article describes the curriculum development process and provides preliminary qualitative data on learners’ experiences with the curriculum. Results indicate that the curriculum was attractive to participants and that they were highly satisfied with both the format and content. The curriculum described here represents one example of an audience-centered approach designed to meet the specific health and literacy needs of the Hispanic population on the U.S.–Mexico border. The combination of ESL and health literacy contributed to a perceived positive learning experience among participants. Interdisciplinary approaches to health literacy are recommended.

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“…The federal government did not act on this recommendation, perhaps as Shohet (2001) suggests because the jurisdictional right of provinces over adult literacy is “jealously guarded” and such a federal initiative would not be accepted. The field, however, is availing itself of electronic networking independently.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Reflective Discourse in the Canadian Adult Literacy Community: Asynchronous Discussion Forums

Herod

2003

New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development

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This paper explores the potential benefits of online discussion forums with regard to promoting reflective discourse in the Canadian adult literacy community. Given the geographical disparity of practitioners and a historical scarcity of resources, there has been very little opportunity for stakeholders to engage in collaborative activities until recently. Computer‐mediated communication now provides a cost‐effective alternative to face‐to‐face discussions or video/audio‐conferencing. Moreover, in comparison to other methods dialogue via asynchronous forums evolves over time. This will, in all likelihood, contribute greatly to the development of practitioners and the expansion of the knowledge base of the field.

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Family Literacy in Canada

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

Family-Focused Early Learning Programing: Access, Opportunities, and Issues in one Canadian Context

Family-Focused Early Learning Programing: Access, Opportunities, and Issues in one Canadian Context

Integrating Health Literacy and ESL

Promoting Reflective Discourse in the Canadian Adult Literacy Community: Asynchronous Discussion Forums

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