Suggestions for Research in Adult Literacy

Functional literacy as an approach to literacy education is now widely accepted: the Experts on Research in Literacy. meeting at Unesco House in July. 1968. felt that. because of the relative novelty of functional literacy, research was needed as part of training programs. and on specific topics. The groups agreed that research. in most cases, would require the cooperation of several disciplines and professional fields. A number of research projects were suggested: those to which the group attached the highest priority were: investment in schools or adult education: minimum level of literacy necessary for industrial development illiteracy as a bottleneck to economic development: way of life of target groups: language of instruction: second language learning: analysis of a promotional campaign: motivation in different cultural settings: the community. course content and cost: comparative linguistic studies: effect of active participation on dropout rate; exposure to mass media to create interest: and effects of functional literacy on adult participation in the economic life of the community. (Annexes include a list of participants, other suggestions for research, and research undertaken or sponsored by Unesco in 1968.) [Not available in hardcopy due to marginal legibility of original document.] (ebb)