Improving Literacy at Work

by Alison Wolf, Karen Evans

Modern societies demand high levels of literacy. The written word is pervasive; individuals with poor literacy skills are deeply disadvantaged; and governments are increasingly pre-occupied with the contribution that skills can make to economic growth. As a result, the basic skills of adult workers are of concern as never before, a focus for workplace and education policy and practice.

While Improving Literacy at Work builds on detailed research from the UK, the issue is a universal one and rising skill requirements mean the conclusions drawn will be of equal interest elsewhere in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The research findings have very direct implications and practical relevance for teaching and learning, as this valuable book demonstrates, providing clear advice on how to develop effective provision and how best to support learners at work.

Throughout the study, the authors address the following fundamental

How do adults’ literacy skills impact on their working lives, and on the enterprises where they work? How can we develop these essential skills in the workforce? When and how can literacy instruction change individuals’ employability and engagement with further learning? Essential reading for trainers and managers in industry, teachers, researchers and lecturers in adult and further education and stakeholders implementing evidence-based policy, this book maps the fundamental changes taking place in workplace literacy.

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Alison is a British author, academic and journalist, who also lived and worked for 10 years in the US, and manages to return there frequently. Her day job is in central central London, at King's College London, where she runs a public management Masters programme; but she also presents programmes for BBC Radio (Radio 4)and writes widely for national newspapers and magazines. Her most recent book, The XX Factor, was 'born of a sudden realization. People kept talking about 'women' as though we all had vast amounts in common. But this is completely wrong. The arrival on the planet of 70 million graduate, professional women has changed our societies from top to bottom, in ways we are only just starting to understand. Today's professional women are historically unique, and the book is about them. Since I'm one of them, it is also about my and my generation's lives. But it also about the differences between these 70 million and other women, and the widening gulf that spells the end of sisterhood.'