1. PLEASE READ FIRST Users of BC’s literacy slide library agree to the following conditions: Photos in this slide library may not be stored or used except as part of a slide presentation, created from this slide library, on literacy issues in British Columbia. Photos in this slide library may not be altered or shared. If you do not agree to these terms, delete this document now.

2. BC’s literacy slide library user notes

3. Using BC’s literacy slide library Creating a slideshow Save a copy of this document under the name for your presentation (File > Save As…) Browse, and delete unneeded slides (e.g., this one) (Edit > Delete Slide) Edit remaining slides as desired, saving regularly Slides can easily be reordered by grabbing and dragging in the slide thumbnail view at left Font selection We have used fonts that are likely to be found on any computer used to display slides (otherwise, unpredictable fonts will be substituted in). We recommend you use the same fonts if adding/editing. If you want to choose different ones, stick to the most common unless you are sure the display machine can accommodate you. Striking a balance The screen need not do all the work – a slide presentation balances the visuals with what the presenter delivers orally. So there is no need to clutter or cram. Instead, include only the core messages/information, and then use the slides as launchpad and reinforcer for your detailed discussion. On some slides, the Notes section includes selected material which you may wish to refer to or replace/supplement with your own notes.

4. Using BC’s literacy slide library Running slides automatically Sometimes you may want your slideshow to run itself, rather than controlling transitions manually. For example, it may be part of a display. Slide Show > Slide Transition… In sidebar, under Advance Slide, check “Automatically” instead of “On Mouse Click” Specify length of time to display each slide Click on “Apply to All Slides” Sometimes you may want your slideshow to go back to the beginning after running to the end. PowerPoint refers to this as “setting up a presentation to run in a continuous loop”. Slide Show > Set Up Show… Under Show Options, check box for “Loop continually until ‘Esc’” Check back regularly We will often refresh the slide library with new slides. You will be able to tell by the date in the document name when there is a newer version. Contact us if there is additional content you would like to see covered in the library. Visit Literacy Central for contact details. www.literacycentral.bc.ca

5. Title slides & templates Interstitial slides like this help users find slides quickly by glancing at the thumbnails on left.

6. Template slide: Slide title here Use for ‘bumper sticker’, thematic heading or similar Bullet points You could also highlight key info with this blue The fewer the better! www.literacycentral.bc.ca offers tips on creating presentations – look for ‘Communications Supports’ Template provided to assist you in creating new slides. Use for giving sources or other ‘footnote’ info, or delete this object if not required

7. Title of presentation Name, title, affiliation of presenter Date, venue of presentation Subtitle

8. General background on literacy

9. Literacy is the essential skill What is literacy? The ability to understand and use printed information in daily activities, at home, at work and in the community Not about whether one can read, but how well one reads Foundational skill upon which other skills depend Literacy means communication for participation

10. Measuring literacy Many ‘domains’ (prose, document, numeracy, problem-solving) Level 1: difficulty reading, generally aware of a challenge Level 2: limited skills, can deal well only with clearest material; may not be aware of limitations Level 3: can read well, may have difficulty with more complex tasks; validated as needed to fully participate and succeed in today’s society and economy Levels 4 & 5: strong skills, many strategies for dealing with complex information International Adult Literacy & Skills Survey, 2003

11. BC adult literacy statistics

12. Literacy in BC 35% of working-age British Columbians do not have the literacy skills required to fully participate and succeed Literacy is the essential skill Level 1Levels 4 & 5 Level 2Level 3 14214026 Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey ▲ % BC population aged 16-65 literacy proficiency ►

13. Literacy in BC 35% of working-age British Columbians do not have the literacy skills required to fully participate and succeed Literacy is the essential skill PoorStrongWeakAdequate 14214026 Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey ▲ % BC population aged 16-65 literacy proficiency ►

14. Literacy in BC Literacy is the essential skill 17223723 Level 1Levels 4 & 5 Level 2Level 3 ▲ % BC population aged 16 and over literacy proficiency ► About 40% of British Columbian adults do not have the literacy skills required to fully participate and succeed Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

15. Literacy in BC Literacy is the essential skill 17223723 PoorStrongWeakAdequate ▲ % BC population aged 16 and over literacy proficiency ► About 40% of British Columbian adults do not have the literacy skills required to fully participate and succeed Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

16. BC’s literacy challenge About 40% of adults (35% of working age people) do not have the literacy skills today’s world demands This means that over 1,000,000 working-age British Columbians have difficulty with such tasks as:  Reading safety information or recipes  Identifying the correct amount of medicine to administer  Writing a résumé The literacy shortfall has a profound impact on the socio-economic fabric of our province

17. Some groups with lower literacy

18. Literacy – the ESL dimension Literacy means inclusion Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey Canada is a multi-lingual, multi-cultural country. 20% of the population was born in another country. 70% of these newcomers speak an original language other than English or French Many bring strong literacy skills in at least one other language, while others face literacy challenges in their original language. Most face literacy challenges in English/French: 60% below Level 3 Make up 2/3 of BC’s working-age population at lowest level of literacy

19. Why is this important? Literacy means inclusion Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey Literacy is grounded in one’s culture, language and history and forms a strong foundation from which a person learns, thinks, and makes choices for a meaningful life. Literacy level (official language) is a key indicator of income. Without English language skills, many immigrants are not able to fully participate in their new home and struggle to reach their goals.

20. Literacy and seniors 70% of British Columbians aged 65 and over do not have the literacy skills demanded by today’s world Double the proportion for those aged 16-64 Literacy skills decline with age – must exercise to maintain! Significant implications for healthy, independent living Literacy means inclusion Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

21. Literacy and Aboriginal people Aboriginal people have lower literacy levels than other Canadians 60% below ‘Level 3’ (national average = 40%) First Nations estimate: 70% below Level 3 Many Aboriginal people are reclaiming a strong sense of their identity and the skills and knowledge to succeed within their communities and Canadian society Recent generations of First Nations people have experienced sub-standard educational experiences in residential schools Many Aboriginal people wish to be significantly involved in making educational decisions for themselves and their families Literacy means inclusion Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

22. Benefits of higher literacy

23. Some benefits of higher literacy Higher employment Higher income Higher productivity Better health Engaged citizens Resilient communities Literacy means opportunity

24. Some costs of low literacy Higher unemployment Lower income Poorer health Lower productivity Literacy means opportunity

25. Literacy increases employment Benefits of higher literacy Levels 4 & 5 47677481 Level 1Level 2Level 3 47% of those with the weakest literacy skills are employed 81% of those with the strongest literacy skills are employed ▲ % employed BC population aged 16-65 2003 literacy proficiency ► Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

26. Literacy increases employment Benefits of higher literacy Strong 47677481 PoorWeakAdequate 47% of those with the lowest literacy skills are employed 81% of those with the strongest literacy skills are employed ▲ % employed BC population aged 16-65 2003 literacy proficiency ► Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

27. Literacy raises income 2040 Levels 1 & 2 Level 3Levels 4 & 5 2040 Levels 1 & 2 Level 3Levels 4 & 5 Benefits of higher literacy Only a small proportion of those in the lowest income brackets have strong literacy skills Only a small proportion of those in the highest income brackets have weak literacy skills ▲ % of BC males aged 16-65 earning <$20,000 p.a. literacy proficiency ► Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey ▲ % of BC males aged 16-65 earning >$60,000 p.a. literacy ◄ proficiency

28. Literacy raises income 21293742 Levels 4 & 5 Level 1Level 2Level 3 Benefits of higher literacy Average income of people with strong literacy skills double that of people with poor literacy skills ▲ Average annual personal income, thousands of dollars literacy proficiency ► Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

29. Literacy raises income Benefits of higher literacy 21293742 StrongPoorWeakAdequate Average income of people with strong literacy skills double that of people with poor literacy skills ▲ Average annual personal income, thousands of dollars literacy proficiency ► Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

30. Literacy boosts productivity Literacy skills are the indispensable foundation of a robust and competitive economy Estimated boost to national productivity of an increase of just 1% in literacy scores: 2.5% Worth $32 billion p.a. to Canadian GDP Benefits of higher literacy TD Bank Financial Group (2008): Literacy Matters - a call for action

31. Literacy enables further skill development Literacy means inclusion and opportunity Levels 4 & 5 234960 77 Level 1Level 2Level 3 Few of those with the weakest literacy skills participate in the training and education that can open new opportunities ▲ % receiving adult education & training BC population aged 16-65 literacy proficiency ► Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey

32. Literacy means participation Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey 53708083 StrongPoorWeakAdequate Literacy and civic engagement ▲ % engaged in community life, BC population aged 16 and over literacy proficiency ► As literacy skills increase, so does participation in civic life and engagement with the community

33. Literacy means participation Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey 53708083 Levels 4 & 5Level 1Level 2Level 3 Literacy and civic engagement ▲ % engaged in community life, BC population aged 16 and over literacy proficiency ► As literacy skills increase, so does participation in civic life and engagement with the community

34. Literacy means quality of life Statistics Canada (2003): International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey Literacy matters for health When people have stronger literacy skills they are significantly healthier: Average literacy scores of those aged 16-65 reporting poor health correspond to Level 2 proficiency Average literacy scores of those aged 16-65 reporting excellent health correspond to Level 3 proficiency

35. Literacy protects Low literacy highly prevalent among inmates 70% score below Grade 8 literacy level Directly raises likelihood of offending Significant barrier to re-integration Participation in basic education in correctional facilities associated with a 29% decrease in recidivism Literacy means inclusion Steurer, S. et al (2001): The Three-State Recidivism Study.

36. Family literacy

37. What is family literacy about? Promote reading and learning as valued family activities Enhance ability of parents to support children’s literacy development, from birth throughout the school years Provide opportunity for parents to pursue own educational goals Support school-readiness of children Families learning together

38. The power of family literacy A way to reach adults who may not be engaged by other learning opportunities Fits the reality of families’ lives and addresses barriers like childcare Parents far more likely to persist with family literacy than with other types of learning programs Children do better in education when parents involved Families learning together

39. Four components of family literacy Families learning together

40. Literacy and the workplace

41. What are essential skills? Help people perform tasks required by their occupation Provide foundation for learning other skills Enhance ability to innovate, adapt to workplace change Literacy for and at work ● Reading text ● Writing ● Numeracy ● Document use ● ● Thinking skills ● Computer use ● Continuous learning ● ● Oral communication ● Working with others ●

42. Tangible benefits Higher productivity Reduction of workplace accidents Waste prevention Increased customer retention Reduced turnover and absenteeism Organizational flexibility Literacy for and at work

43. Literacy improves health and safety Low literacy is a major factor in at-work accidents Difficulty understanding safety/operating instructions Difficulty understanding first aid procedures Pictorial instructions often insufficient (misinterpretation) Even if aware of risks, may be unable to articulate Literacy for and at work

44. Vulnerable sectors Trade, finance, insurance and real estate Manufacturing Accommodation and food services Construction Public health care and social assistance Literacy means productivity

45. Provincial Literacy Supports

46. Provincial Literacy Resource Centre Borrow materials by mail, free, anywhere in BC Books, research resources, audio-visuals, DVDs and more Adult and family literacy Specialist research and material compilation on-demand Contact library@literacy.bc.ca Provincial literacy supports

47. BC Literacy Directory The easy way to find programs to help people of all ages improve their reading, writing and English language skills Provincial database covers every BC community Any authorized local website can draw down and embed custom records from central database www.literacybc.ca/directory Provincial literacy supports

48. Exemplary Literacy Materials Online Provincial literacy supports Find adult and family literacy resources and materials Read and write reviews For practitioners, teachers, librarians, and learners www.elmoreviews.ca

49. Paul Gallagher Community Access Fund Up to $1000 for community-based adult learning programs To support learners with short-term needs (e.g. transport) Removing barriers, promoting access www.literacybc.ca/supportinglearners/financialaid.php Provincial literacy supports