OLC and Learning for Life | Literature and Resources
Partners in Learning for Life
Literacy is about much more than just reading and writing — it is about how we communicate in society and how we prepare for the modern world.
The connections between literacy and health, poverty, new Canadians, corrections and many other aspects of our society are abundant and intertwine to create a complex web of lifelong learning.
Linking people, learning and life:
- 60% of adult Canadians lack the capacity to obtain, understand and act upon health information and services and to make appropriate health decisions on their own.
- Criminal offenders have lower average literacy levels than the general population. Literacy programs in prisons have resulted in reduced rates of re-offending.
- There are over 1.5 million immigrants in Ontario with literacy issues.
Terminology within the concept of Learning for Life varies - literacy, lifelong learning, adult education, foundational skills, basic skills, essential skills – but the goal is consistent: Improving the skills of individuals in order to improve their quality of life at home, at work and in their community.
OLC and Learning for Life
Our Learning for Life Strategy is delivered through a partnership approach between literacy agencies and a variety of community partners in settlement, health, poverty, language and like agencies. It involves developing learning opportunities and initiatives based on the needs and personal goals of the learner.
Literature and Resources
The literature on adult literacy in Ontario and across Canada is abundant. It identifies an important role for community, public and private partnerships. The research recognizes the complexity of the literacy challenge and highlights the connections between health, poverty, crime, settlement and other facets of society.
The literature on adult literacy in Ontario and across Canada is abundant. It identifies an important role for community, public and private partnerships. The research recognizes the complexity of the literacy challenge and highlights the connections between health, poverty, crime, settlement and other facets of society.
Literature from Ontario Literacy Coalition
Literacy in Ontario. 2009.
The first and only cross-sectoral literacy data published in the province. This comprehensive resource provides important information on the role of literacy in economic and social outcomes of Canadians, an outline of the literacy training system, and an overview of the forces in Ontario that affect literacy levels.
Creating a Bridge: A Snapshot of ESL Literacy in Ontario. 2007.
These publications provide a current picture (snapshot) of ESL Literacy in Ontario for the purpose of identifying issues, gaps and opportunities that could be addressed through policy and programming. Of interest to practitioners and other stakeholders, these reports provide a snapshot of the nature and program activities of ESL Literacy in Ontario.
Supporting Learning, Supporting Change.
An in-depth research series about self-management and self-direction of, and for, practitioners, learners, literacy stakeholders and the general public.
To order these publications, contact olc@on.literacy.ca. View all OLC publications.
Resources
Literacy Factsheets
Produced by the Ontario Literacy Coalition. A series of factsheet outlining the impact of literacy on Work, Life, Families, New Canadians, Poverty and Health.
Essentials Skills Bulletins Series
Produced by the Ontario Literacy Coalition. The Essential Skills Bulletin series provides literacy practitioners with current information on essential skills and offers practical activities that can be used in the classroom to help students develop the skills needed for work, learning and life.
Canadian Council on Learning
The Canadian Council on Learning is a catalyst for lifelong learning, promoting and supporting evidence-based decisions about learning throughout all stages of life, from early childhood through to the senior years.
Literacy Programs in Ontario
Literacy Networks across Ontario facilitate learning for individuals, their programs and for the community networking and public outreach. Contact your local network to learn more about literacy in your area.
Movement for Canadian Literacy
The Movement for Canadian Literacy has developed a series of more than a dozen two-page fact sheets highlighting literacy and its connection to community issues.
National Adult Literacy Database
The National Adult Literacy Database acts as an online library for the vast array of literacy information in Canada.
The Centre for Literacy – Health Literacy Links
The links and research collected on this page offer an introduction to the concept of "Health Literacy," and represent the best efforts of various non-profit, government, and educational agencies to raise awareness of the issue and promote best practices in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Centre for Literacy Summer Institute 2008: ESL and Literacy
Recent studies acknowledge that many second-language learners, including some who lack mother tongue literacy, enroll in adult literacy programs.
Partners in Learning for Life
As a partnership development organization, the Ontario Literacy Coalition recognizes the importance of collaboration in every aspect of our work. The OLC would like to thank the individuals and organizations who contribute their expertise and support Learning for Life.
