2. The Velcro Effect The Velcro Effect What literacy means Insert presenter title Insert presenter name Venue and date

3. Literacy happens in surprising places Reading … and so much more WHAT IS LITERACY?

4. Literacy means lifelong learning Not something we’re born with Skills we acquire and develop … … and never stop developing WHAT IS LITERACY?

5. One way of putting it … READINGWRITINGNUMERACYPROBLEM-SOLVINGWORKING WITH OTHERSDOCUMENT USETHINKINGCOMPUTERSCONTINUOUS LEARNINGORAL COMMUNICATION The skills to fully participate in society reading  writing  numeracy  problem-solving  teamworking  documents  thinking  computers  continuous learning Communication for participation … The ability to understand and use information in daily activities, at home, at work, and in the community WHAT IS LITERACY? oral communication 

6. The Velcro Effect LITERACY MAKES LEARNING But what makes literacy stick? Making meaning Applied and transferable Lifelong learning We can measure it STICK WHAT IS LITERACY? In short …

7. What makes literacy stick? Not just schooling … Not just language … Not just employment … British Columbians with low literacy skills 43% have less than high school19% have post-secondary education 64% are immigrants 38% speak English/French at home 17% are unemployed45% have a job WHAT IS LITERACY?

8. It’s not just about ‘them’ Everyville BC Level 3Level 2 ESL Intermediate Level 5 Grade 11 Red Seal neighbourhood houses schools libraries colleges community organisations employers recreation centres social agencies townhalls It’s about all of us WHAT IS LITERACY?