Northwest Territories Literacy Council

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Adult Literacy and Essential Skills

To be literate means that you have the skills to understand what you read, communicate with others and engage fully and confidently in life’s activities and opportunities – at work, at home and in the community. (ABC Life Literacy Canada)

Adults with low literacy skills often attend adult literacy programs. Adult literacy can involve both informal and formal learning. Informal learning is when we learn outside the classroom at home, at work or in the community. Learning from Elders, or going out on the land, would be considered informal learning. Formal learning is classroom based or through a formal program. Adult upgrading or trades programs would be considered formal learning.

Essential skills are the skills needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and help people in their jobs adapt to workplace change.