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Campbell River celebrates International Adult Learners’ Week

Four programs contribute to adult learning in the community

March 24 - April 1 is International Adult Learners’ Week.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) started this annual event in 2000 as a way to celebrate adult learners and lifelong learning. At the Campbell River Literacy Association, they have four programs which contribute to adult learning: Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP), the English as a Second Language (ESL) Settlement Assistance Program, English Practice Group and the Outreach Computer Literacy Program.

Since September 2011, the association has aided 131 adult learners with the assistance of 89 volunteer tutors. They rely on community volunteers to assist with adult learners meeting their literacy goals.

A number of their learners have gone on to take College courses, and/or have been able to secure employment due to the help that they received in our programs. During International Adult Learners’ Week, they are holding a celebration dinner to recognizetheir adult learners and their successes.

All of their programs are learner centered, based on a one-on-one tutoring model, which means they tailor their programs to fit the literacy needs of each individual. The learners are paired up with their own volunteer tutor who works one on one with them. There is no cost for any of our programs.

“It is important to recognize that knowing how to read and write impacts our everyday life. Nearly half of all Canadians struggle with some part of Literacy. When some of our learners come to us, they are not able to read such things as bus schedules, street signs or many other things that we take for granted,” says Sherry Bujold, Adult Literacy Program Coordinator.

Campbell River Literacy Association’s Adult Literacy Program is one of 72 Community Adult Literacy Programs (CALP’s) across British Columbia. These programs are funded by the Ministry of Advanced Labour Market Development. CALP programs are community-based programs that offer flexible, learner-centered programs in a non-institutional context.

For example, Campbell River’s Adult Literacy Program offers one on one and group tutoring four days per week. They help each learner with their individual needs, which could include reading a drivers manual, upgrading English or math so they are able to enroll in a post-secondary course. They also help their English as a Second Language learners increase their level of English so they are able to feel comfortable in our community.

Across British Columbia, CALP’s serve approximately 1,800 core learners each year, and an additional 1,450 drop-in learners, who access help for a specific need, such as filling out a job application or understanding a rental agreement. Approximately 1,600 British Columbians volunteer with literacy programs.

To find out more about the Campbell River Literacy Association’s services, visit  www.literacyforall.ca or drop by the office Monday - Thursday at A121A – 740 Robron Road, Campbell River.

If you or someone you know might be interested in getting help with reading, writing, math or pronunciation, please call 250 923 1275 or email info@literacyforall.ca

About International Adult Literacy Week: International Adult Learners’ Week (IALW) was launched by UNESCO on September 8, 2000. The Week celebrates adult learners across the country and the joy of learning throughout life.

For more information, visit: http://www.unesco.ca/en/activity/education/AdultLearners.aspx; http://www.unesco.ca/en/activity/education/AdultLearners.aspx