Low literacy creates conditions for economic, social and political exclusion, and holds back both social and economic growth and community building. Currently there is very little research data on the needs of Canadian immigrants who have limited literacy skills in their first language, and both practitioners and academics have identified the need for additional research and information gathering as a vital first step in the process of improving services and policy frameworks that will meet the needs of Ontario immigrants with low literacy skills in their first language.

To address the above issue, the OLC embarked on a two year research project – funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation – to explore the literacy issues faced by new and settlement immigrants in Ontario whose first language is not English or French and who have literacy challenges in their first languages.

This was a unique initiative because it brings together for the first time, members of the EAL, settlement, and Adult Literacy communities from across Ontario. This initiative was also unique in being the first of its kind to take an in-depth look at the major issues surrounding first language literacy services through research of existing programs and information in Ontario, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

By bringing together representatives from the various sectors (e.g., EAL, first language literacy, settlement, and Adult Literacy communities), this initiative identified first language literacy issues in Ontario.

Creating a Bridge: A Snapshot of ESL Literacy in Ontario - Research Report; Creating a Bridge: A Snapshot of ESL Literacy in Ontario - Symposium Proceedings Report; and Creating a Bridge: A Snapshot of ESL Literacy in Ontario - Executive Summary can be purchased by contacting olc@on.literacy.ca.