ABC Life Literacy Canada

Adult Literacy Myths

MYTH: There are millions of illiterate people in Canada.

FACT: There are very few people who are “illiterate,” meaning that they cannot read at all. There are about nine million Canadian adults age 16 to 65 who are challenged by low literacy. However, most can read to some degree. These individuals simply need additional tutoring to raise their literacy skills to a level where they can engage fully and confidently in regular work and life activities.

MYTH: You can either read or you can’t read.

FACT: Having low literacy does not mean that you “can’t read.” Reading comprehension is not like an ‘on-off’ light switch. The vast majority of people with literacy issues can read to a certain degree, but not at a literacy level required for full engagement at work, at home and in the community.

MYTH: Low literacy is not an issue for adults who are educated and who have traditionally had good literacy skills.

FACT: Literacy skills can deteriorate over time if habits do not support literacy development and maintenance. Literacy skills are like muscles - they are maintained and strengthened through regular use (Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society, Statistics Canada, 1997). That is why it is so important for families to read and learn together. Both children and parents benefit from these activities.

MYTH: Low literacy primarily affects people of a certain socio-economic level.

FACT: Though some correlations can be drawn between socio-economic levels and literacy levels, the reality is that literacy challenges are experienced by adults in a wide range of socio-economic circumstances and occupations. Their literacy levels may vary, but they are nonetheless challenged by the tasks they face. What is common among these individuals are the methods they use to hide their difficulties.

MYTH: Canada’s low literacy levels are as high as they are due to increased immigration.

FACT: While a significantly higher proportion of immigrants have low literacy (60 per cent, compared to 37 per cent of native-born Canadians), and while immigration levels have increased over time, especially in certain urban areas, the overall percentage of Canadian adults with low literacy is 42 per cent, a level that has effectively remained the same since 1994 (International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey, Statistics Canada, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, 2005).

MYTH: The school system should be able to address the issue of low literacy in adult Canadians.

FACT: Low literacy among adult Canadians should not be an issue for the school system to handle alone. Unfortunately, adults with low literacy are so challenged for a variety of personal reasons. To address the issue of low literacy in adult Canadians, there must be opportunities made available for adults in various circumstances to gain access to the literacy upgrades they require. It is therefore necessary for business, labour, government and schools to work together to achieve this goal.

Workplace Literacy Myths

MYTH: Young people entering the workforce will have the requisite skills necessary to meet the technological and literacy demands of a modern workplace, and will effectively fill the spots previously filled by the Baby Boomer.

FACT: Employers face a workforce with fewer young people aged 20 to 39 than in the past. Furthermore, the forecast is for a decline in the share of that age group from 32% in 1996 to 26% in 2015. Conversely, those aged 50 to 64 will increase from 14% to 21% over the same period. Employers will need to train and retrain workers already in the labour force (The Economic Benefits of Improving Literacy Skills in the Workplace, Conference Board of Canada, 2007). Additionally, youth require upgrading, with more than one third of Canadians age 16 to 25 having low literacy (International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey, Statistics Canada, OECD, 2005).

MYTH: The place to learn literacy skills is in school.

FACT: Learning can't stop after school. The opportunity to use and develop essential skills on the job can actually maintain and enhance these skills long after formal education is completed (Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters).

MYTH: Workplace literacy training will cost my organization too much money and won't give me the return on my investment.

FACT: Workplace literacy training provides several benefits to both the employee and employer. Benefits include: Increased profitability through improved customer service; better employee morale; engagement and retention; a culture of learning and a healthier workforce; reduced EI premiums and turnover costs; highly skilled workforce from which to choose; and a higher competitiveness internationally and within its own industry sector. According to The International Survey of Reading Skills (ISRS), it is estimated that the rate of return on workplace learning programs is 251%.

MYTH: I don't have a literacy problem.

FACT: Many people don't realize that many issues occurring in the workforce are literacy-related. Some literacy problems include high turnover rate; low productivity; understanding reports, letters, and equipment manuals; communicating effectively; understanding documents such as safety instructions, assembly directions, maps; understanding numbers, charts and tables; thinking critically and acting logically to solve problems and make decisions; using computers, technology, tools and information systems effectively; ability to build and work in teams; and positive attitude toward change (Conference Board of Canada).