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EDUCATION 342-3

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CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO LITERACY INSTRUCTION

Spring Semester, 1991

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Instructor: ?

Carmen Rodriguez

(January 7- April 5)

Thursdays, 4:30 - 7:20

Location: MPX 9511/12

PREREQUISITE:

Education 341

OBJECTIVES:

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to reflect on the literacy theory studied in Education 341 and on its

application to the field of literacy instruction

- to arrive at an historical understanding of the development of different

approaches to adult literacy instruction

- to survey current approaches to literacy instruction

- to arrive at a critical understanding of some adult literacy programs in the

Lower Mainland

COURSE TOPICS:

-

the literacy/illiteracy dichotomy: review of the theory/application to literacy

instruction

- the purposes of literacy instruction, the role of the literacy instructor

- the adult literacy learner

- an historical overview of literacy instruction: the "bottom-up" approach,

language experience, whole language, Frierian education

- the theory behind the practice: what is understood by reading and writing?

- literacy programs in Canada, the U.S., Great Britain and the Third World

- literacy programs in British Columbia, with particular emphasis on the

Lower Mainland

REQUIRED TEXTS

Joyce Cameron.

- Audrey Thomas. Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutor Program Evaluation Kit

- Audrey Thomas. Exemplar

y

Adult Literacy Programs and Innovative

Practices in Canada

- Katherine Kennedy and Stephanie Roeder. Using Language Experience

with Adults: A Guide for Teachers

- Paula Davies and Ann McQuaid. Whole Language and Adult Literacy

Instruction.

In addition, the instructor will provide a package of required readings and a

list of recommended texts.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Student evaluation will be based on completion of a mid-term take-home exam

(30%), group presentations (30%), a final paper (30%) and class participation

(10%)