New digital literacy resources aim to educate Canadians on online fraud
In honour of Fraud Prevention Month, ABC Life Literacy Canada released a number of new resources from its ABC Internet Matters program, supported by the Canadian Bankers Association.
23 March, 2023
Adult literacy funding opportunities for non-profit organizations
Navigating the world of fundraising can be a challenge, so we’ve pulled together a list of adult literacy grants and funding opportunities for literacy organizations in Canada.
01 March, 2023
Employability and life skills programming aims to reduce criminal re-offending rates
Newfoundland Corrections’ Adult Custody Section has 5 correctional facilities and 2 detention centres, which provide services and programs for sentenced, remanded and detained offenders.
24 February, 2023
How to support Black learners in your literacy program
Setting Black learners up for success starts with developing a positive sense of community. We dive into more detail about how to best support this group of learners in your literacy program.
21 February, 2023
New series of UP Skills for Work resources for adult learners
This new series consists of 10 workbooks with adapted content from the original series that has been written and designed specifically for adult learners at a grade 2-4 reading level.
06 February, 2023
How (and why) to write using clear language
Using clear language and design allows you to share information in a simple, straightforward way. It’s helpful for people working to improve their literacy skills.
02 February, 2023
Celebrate your heritage with Family Literacy Day on January 27
On January 27, 2023, families, libraries and literacy groups across the country will once again celebrate Family Literacy Day.
19 January, 2023
5 benefits of learning about your heritage
Did you know that there are many benefits to learning about your heritage and family history? Here are a few of the advantages.
06 January, 2023
10 ways families can learn about their heritage together
Family history can often be fascinating, and it’s a great topic that both parents and children can explore together.
03 January, 2023
Top 10 literacy news posts of 2022
In case you missed any of ABC Life Literacy Canada’s news posts written for the literacy community this year, we’ve recapped the top 10 most popular.
12 December, 2022
5 New Year’s resolutions for literacy practitioners
The new year is around the corner, and with a new year comes a new opportunity to start fresh and live the life that allows you to be your best self.
12 December, 2022
The 3 biggest impacts of family literacy
Family literacy – a type of intergenerational learning that occurs within the family – helps build language skills and sets the foundation of literacy.
12 December, 2022
Bringing financial literacy to the most vulnerable
Last month, ABC Life Literacy Canada partnered with Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) to deliver a Money Matters workshop in celebration of Financial Literacy Month.
05 December, 2022
What’s planned for Family Literacy Day 2023
Family Literacy Day will once again take place on January 27, and planning is well underway. This year’s theme is Celebrate your heritage.
28 November, 2022
Everything you need to know about credit
Debt and credit are ordinary parts of how we manage our money. Sometimes debt and credit help us, and sometimes they can cause trouble.
21 November, 2022
Plan ahead so your holiday spending doesn’t spiral out of control
The holiday season is an exciting time of year, but that excitement can be dampened by worry if you’re facing a financial shortfall.
14 November, 2022
5 financial literacy activities for the whole family
To help families improve their financial literacy skills throughout the year, ABC Life Literacy Canada offers five financial literacy activities for the family to do together.
04 November, 2022
5 financial literacy tips from adult learners
To celebrate Financial Literacy Month, adult learners from the Money Matters financial literacy program share their top 10 money management tips.
02 November, 2022
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honourable mention winners
We take a look at the programs of the 2022 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honourable mention winners.
30 October, 2022
Financial literacy resources for people with visual impairment
ABC Life Literacy Canada has recently released three workbooks from the Money Matters financial literacy program in a format that's optimized to work with screen readers.
26 October, 2022
Non-profit aims to improve Canadians’ financial literacy amidst soaring inflation
November marks Financial Literacy Month (FLM), and this year’s theme focuses on helping Canadians manage their debt.
25 October, 2022
How rising interest rates impact borrowing money
Research shows that more than half of all Canadians lack the numeracy skills needed to properly understand charts, numbers and documents that impact your level of debt or savings.
24 October, 2022
5 tips for dealing with inflation
With inflation at its highest level in more than 30 years, it’s more important than ever for us to become financially literate.
24 October, 2022
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award top winner: Further Education Society of Alberta
Earlier this month, Further Education Society of Alberta was awarded top honours for this year’s Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for their program, Cooks with Stones.
17 October, 2022
How to stay safe online
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Learn how to stay safe online and protect yourself from possible cyber attacks with these resources.
17 October, 2022
Rural seniors learn practical health advice ahead of Health Literacy Month
North River 50+ Friendship Group is a social group for seniors aged 50+ who are looking to connect and socialize with likeminded seniors.
13 October, 2022
Understanding how health literacy impacts your health
Six in 10 Canadian adults cannot adequately manage their health, and senior Canadians and Canadian adults with less than a high school diploma are even more at risk.
03 October, 2022
Activate Learning helps Newfoundland organization expand programming
Green Bay Community Employment Corp in Green Bay, NL provides employment support for people with intellectual disabilities.
28 September, 2022
Newcomer seniors learn about the Canadian banking system
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House recently ran a Money Matters workshop for Mandarin-speaking seniors to help them better understand the Canadian banking system.
26 September, 2022
Skills for Success Day highlights importance of soft skills in a tight job market
Today marks Skills for Success Day, an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of the key skills needed for learning, work, and life.
22 September, 2022
Skills for Success Day addresses important life skills for Canadians
Literacy provides an opportunity to unlock a world of possibilities. Having adequate literacy skills means being able to understand, evaluate, use, and engage with written texts.
13 September, 2022
Soft skills: Why they’re important for Canada’s future workforce
Canada’s record low unemployment rate and high number of job vacancies are changing how companies hire. What was important to Canadian employers in the past is becoming less crucial.
12 September, 2022
Winners of the 2022 HSBC Family Literacy First Fund
This award is presented to Canadian organizations that are making significant contributions to the field of family financial literacy.
06 September, 2022Further Education Society of Alberta wins top spot in the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce the top and honourable mention winners of the 2022 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award.
25 August, 2022
How to teach adults with learning difficulties
Adults with learning difficulties have additional challenges to overcome. They may develop skills at a slower pace or might have difficulty understanding more complex information.
22 August, 2022
Learning how to manage stress for work and home life
Rocky Support Services Society recently signed up for the UP Skills for Work program through ABC Life Literacy Canada to add soft skill training to their program mix.
17 August, 2022
Prepare kids for back to school with family literacy resources
The summer break can often cause a decline in children’s knowledge from the prior school year – also known as the summer slide.
09 August, 2022
Skills for Success Day virtual workshop series
To celebrate Skills for Success Day, ABC Life Literacy Canada along with Skills Canada is hosting a virtual workshop series on a different skill.
04 August, 2022
Preparing your classroom for new adult learners
Kids aren’t the only ones heading back to class in a few weeks; many adults are as well! Here are some tips for preparing your classroom for new adult learners this fall.
02 August, 2022
6 steps to implementing social media at your literacy organization
With so many platforms to choose from and the need to be creating content regularly, many organizations struggle to know where to start.
26 July, 2022
Women gain confidence skills to work in skilled trades industry
Canada has 1.2 million construction workers, but women only currently represent approximately four per cent of the construction trades.
20 July, 2022
1 in 6 cannot pass basic literacy tests: The economic impact of Canadians’ literacy skills
A highly literate workforce increases GDP and productivity and is vital for maintaining a healthy, competitive economy.
12 July, 2022
4 tips on how to network outside of events
The past few years has transformed the way we work – and the way we network. To learn how to network outside of events at your non-profit, follow our tips.
04 July, 2022
Financial literacy workshop for Indigenous youth takes a realistic approach
Today’s youth are often told that they just need to work harder or cut back on having brunch every weekend in order to afford a house. And frankly, they’re tired of hearing it.
28 June, 2022
8 ways to prevent the summer slide
The best way to combat the summer slide is to ensure children spend time every day learning, in order to practise their literacy skills.
14 June, 2022
7 ways to avoid financial scams
With June being Senior’s Month, an annual initiative marked in several provinces io to recognize and celebrate older adults, here are seven ways to avoid financial scams.
12 June, 2022
ABC Life Literacy Canada expands family financial literacy program
The HSBC Family Literacy First program has recently expanded to offer a new workbook, a series of learning videos, and a new award for the literacy community.
09 June, 2022
3 adult teaching strategies for Indigenous learners
Western approaches have historically dominated many education institutions. Here are three tips to create a successful literacy program that’s culturally responsive to Indigenous learners.
07 June, 2022
Musicians improve their soft skills in a post-pandemic world
This past Spring, MusicNL teamed up with ABC Life Literacy Canada to offer a three-part series through the Activate Learning program. They hosted workshops on three different soft skills.
30 May, 2022
3 steps to creating a budget that works
Creating a budget is an important step in managing your money. A budget is essentially a spending plan for how you will spend your money so you can best meet your needs and goals.
25 May, 2022
Don’t feel you have the skills for the job you want? Tips to get ahead
Are you a few key skills away from reaching your dream job? Can you picture yourself working in that restaurant or office down the street, but you’re not sure how to get your resume in shape?
24 May, 2022
Affordable ways to boost your skill set
Was there ever anything you wanted to learn, but didn’t? Do you feel like it is too late to begin learning it? What barriers are stopping you?
16 May, 2022
Learning loss is not just for kids; How you can catch up
While this learning loss is sometimes thought of in terms of kids coming back to school with rusty reading and math skills after summer break, it can actually happen to anyone.
11 May, 2022
How to encourage adults to be civically enagaged
By living in a democratic country, we can participate in the political decisions that affect us – but only if we have the knowledge and confidence to do so.
04 May, 2022
Ontario election resources for adult learners
ABC Life Literacy Canada has partnered with Elections Ontario to create a number of resources to help literacy practitioners engage adult learners in civic literacy.
03 May, 2022
How financial literacy can improve mental health
Financial stress ranks as the highest stress of the big four stresses. As we head into Mental Health Week, now the is perfect time to talk about how financial stress can affect our mental health.
01 May, 2022
Top 3 money struggles hurting your mental health
Did you know that struggling with your finances can negatively impact your work performance, relationships and mental health?
30 April, 2022
The relationship between nutrition and learning
When people follow a healthy diet, they can focus and self-regulate better, leading to greater success in achieving their educational goals.
25 April, 2022
Helping autistic workers improve their soft skills
Inclusion Canada supports adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and is one of many organizations using UP Skills for Work to help clients gain the soft skills needed for employment.
18 April, 2022
Seniors learn how to stay safe online
For more than seven years, Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society has been running a Cyber Seniors program to help local seniors learn to use technology in a safe and approachable way.
13 April, 2022
Digital literacy program expands in time of need
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that its ABC Internet Matters program, supported by the Canadian Bankers Association, is expanding to offer new resources.
12 April, 2022
3 inexpensive ways to advertise your non-profit literacy program
Marketing can be expensive, and for non-profits, it can feel nearly impossible to be able to afford the going rate for ad space.
04 April, 2022
Innovation Learning Lab series
This year we're hosting four Innovation Learning Labs, thanks to the support of Canada Life. In each webinar we will discuss one topic that is important and relevant to the literacy field in 2022.
02 April, 2022
3 strategies to reach rural learners
The following three strategies can help you increase the number of learners enrolled in your literacy programs – especially for those living in rural settings.
29 March, 2022
4 adult teaching strategies for newcomers
The English language can be confusing enough for native speakers to learn. So when you deliver your adult literacy programs to non-native speakers, it’s only natural that additional effort...
27 March, 2022
Teaching new workers to manage money wisely
Essential Employability Skills – Health Sector is a pilot project for innovative literacy and essential employability skills training, designed to address labour market and workforce challenges...
21 March, 2022
5 ways to improve employee morale and retention
Each time you onboard a new employee, there’s significant cost and time involved. So when you hire someone great, you want to do everything possible to keep them happy in their role.
01 March, 2022
Seniors help seniors improve their digital literacy skills
This BC digital literacy program aims to teach low-income seniors how to navigate their cell phones and/or tablets with the ultimate goal of enriching the quality of life of the seniors it serves.
23 February, 2022
Why you need to file your 2022 taxes
Filing your taxes can bring you financial benefits. By filing your taxes on time, you can automatically receive government benefits you qualify for, thus increasing your income...
22 February, 2022
5 family learning activities for March Break
To ensure children don't suffer from learning loss at this time, try these fun learning activities together as a family.
22 February, 2022
ABC Skills Hub expands program offering to include Skills for Success
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that its online learning portal, the ABC Skills Hub, has expanded its program offering to include courses aligning with the Skills for Success.
09 February, 2022
Tech Talk Tuesdays: Assistive Technologies
Join us throughout February and March to learn more about assistive technology tools that can help you support learners with diverse abilities.
07 February, 2022
ABC Life Literacy Canada Board announces new Executive Director
The Board of Directors of ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Alison Howard as ABC’s next Executive Director (ED).
26 January, 2022
Family Literacy Day on January 27 encourages families to embrace the outdoors
Families, libraries and literacy groups across the country are getting ready to once again celebrate the annual Family Literacy Day, which takes place on January 27th.
25 January, 2022
New digital literacy resources for persons with diverse abilities
Many of these new resources focus on assistive technologies, which is a type of technology used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with diverse abilities.
24 January, 2022
Why outdoor play is more important than ever
There’s a lot we don’t know about what life will be like as we all learn to live with COVID-19. But there’s one thing we can say for sure: active, outdoor play is exactly what our kids need right now.
18 January, 2022
Essential life lessons to teach your child
While some successes will come naturally for them, there are other core parts of adulthood that can benefit from some education at a young age.
14 January, 2022
10 outdoor activities for daily family learning
Here are 10 outdoor learning activities you can do as a family to celebrate Family Literacy Day and practice learning together year-round.
11 January, 2022
How nature impacts cognitive development
Let’s dig into the relationship between nature and learning to find out more about the impact of nature on cognitive development.
02 January, 2022
Top 10 literacy news posts of 2021
In case you missed any of the news posts written for the literacy community this year, we’ve recapped the top 10 most popular.
12 December, 2021
5 family literacy activities for the holiday season
Help prevent learning loss and ensure kids return sharper than ever by encouraging family literacy activities over the school break.
05 December, 2021
Simple steps to help you beat seasonal stress
Whether it’s finding the right gifts on time or wondering if you can afford them, this season is full of triggers for anxiety.
05 December, 2021
What’s planned for Family Literacy Day 2022
Planning for Family Literacy Day is well underway, and families, schools, libraries, literacy groups and other community organizations are invited to take part in the initiative on January 27, 2022.
02 December, 2021
How to create a holiday budget and stick to it
We all know the holiday season can be downright expensive. Here are some key steps for making a holiday budget and tips for staying the course.
01 December, 2021
Equipping youth with skills for the trades
For over 30 years, the Construction Association of PEI's (CAPEI) Youth in Trade program has been helping youth get into the trades.
22 November, 2021
Supporting Indigenous learners during Financial Literacy Month
The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre recently ran the Money Matters for Indigenous Peoples financial literacy program.
09 November, 2021
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honourable mention winners
We take a look at the programs of the 2021 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honourable mention winners.
01 November, 2021
Financial literacy resources and lesson plans for adults
With November being Financial Literacy Month, now is the perfect time for adults to take control of their money and improve their financial know-how with these free financial literacy resources.
26 October, 2021
Financial literacy resources aim to help Canadians bounce back from pandemic
November marks Financial Literacy Month (FLM), an initiative launched by numerous community groups, non-profits and government bodies to help improve Canadians’ financial literacy levels.
26 October, 2021
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award top winner: Pacific Immigrant Resources Society
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society was awarded top honours for this year’s Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for their program.
18 October, 2021
3 ways literacy practitioners can manage stress at work
You invest so much into your literacy organization – both emotionally and physically – that it’s only a matter of time before you start feeling the effects.
12 October, 2021
How health literacy training is helping YWCA St. John’s better serve its clients
YWCA St. John’s recently worked with ABC Life Literacy Canada on train-the-trainer activities through the Activate Learning program.
04 October, 2021
6 health literacy tips for Canadians
October is Health Literacy Month, which aims to bring attention to the importance of making health information easy to understand, and making the health care system easier to navigate.
27 September, 2021
Skills for Success Day shines light on important life skills for Canadians
Today marks Skills for Success Day (formerly Essential Skills Day), an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of the key skills needed for learning, work and life.
23 September, 2021
Why businesses should invest in employee skills training
Employees with stronger literacy skills are more successful at work and contribute to an improved bottom line. Here’s why literacy skills are so crucial in the workplace.
21 September, 2021
Equipping new workers with the skills to manage their income
YES Employment & Entrepreneurship Montreal turned to our Money Matters program for assistance in offering a more robust financial literacy workshop to meet participants’ complex needs.
14 September, 2021
Employer improves teamwork through employability training
The Association for New Canadians is a non-profit, community-based organization delivering settlement and integration services to immigrants and refugees in Newfoundland and Labrador.
09 September, 2021
Community groups come together to provide digital literacy education during pandemic
For over five years, Douglas College’s I-CARE Adult Literacy program and New Westminster literacy groups had been discussing the need for a digital literacy program and what it might look like.
30 August, 2021Pacific Immigrant Resources Society wins top place in the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award, which recognizes organizations that develop and implement innovative adult literacy skills programs.
25 August, 2021
How to train adult literacy volunteers
An effective volunteer training program can help your organization not only improve volunteer retention but also ensure that new volunteers have the necessary skills to perform their duties properly.
16 August, 2021
Pandemic learning loss affecting adults just as much as children
A recent OECD report indicated that workplace shutdowns as a result of COVID-19 had a negative effect on the ability of adults to participate in learning and training opportunities.
12 August, 2021
Organizational tips for busy literacy organizations
From how to increase productivity to better project management methods, here are four of the best organizational tips for busy literacy organizations.
26 July, 2021
Helping learners gain financial independence through financial literacy
Epilepsy Toronto ran four Money Matters workshops virtually during Epilepsy Awareness Month in March.
19 July, 2021
5 fundraising ideas for adult literacy organizations
Looking for funding sources is a tireless yet crucial challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of fundraising ideas that can help keep your adult literacy programs afloat.
12 July, 2021
Literacy and employment: How to show adult learners the connection
The majority of adult learners upgrade their skills in order to gain better more meaningful employment. Here’s how to educate your adult learners on the impact that literacy has on employment.
04 July, 2021
North Bay Jail trains residents on workplace employability skills
North Bay Jail was pressed to find programming that they could run internally on their own throughout the pandemic. With a quick Google search, they came across UP Skills for Work.
29 June, 2021
Budget-friendly marketing ideas for your literacy program
To spread awareness, attract funders and learners, and engage volunteers, you need effective marketing.
17 June, 2021
Resources aim to protect seniors from online fraud
June 15th marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to acknowledge the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.
14 June, 2021
Helping seniors with technology during the pandemic
Connectivity has never been more important than in this last year, when the pandemic separated people from their friends and families for an extended period of time.
07 June, 2021
Saskatchewan Indigenous communities get support with financial literacy
For over 30 years, Prince Albert Literacy Network has run free literacy programming for its small community of 40,000 in Saskatchewan, of which nearly 50 per cent are Indigenous.
31 May, 2021
How to talk about literacy to people outside the field
Whether you’re trying to market your program, advocate for more government funding, or develop partnerships with sponsors, communicating the importance of adult literacy is key.
17 May, 2021
Tips for preventing the summer slide
Students lose one month’s worth of school-year learning due to summer vacation. The best way to combat the summer slide is to ensure children spend time each day practising their literacy skills.
14 May, 2021
Family financial literacy more important than ever
With many families doing homeschooling and spending more time at home, the time to address the family’s financial literacy together has never come at a better time.
13 May, 2021
Workplace training brings hospitality staff closer together
Despite already having a fantastic close-knit staff, the Hungry Heart Cafe decided to implement workplace training workshops through the UP Skills for Work program, offered through Activate Learning.
06 May, 2021
How to manage financial stress for better mental health
Although a constant worry for many of us, financial stress may be worse than ever during the pandemic. Learn how to manage financial stress.
30 April, 2021
Seniors learn to identify fake news in digital literacy workshop
A YMCA in Kitchener recently launched a pilot program designed to build digital literacy amongst older adults as a way to help them better understand fake news amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
23 April, 2021
Tech Talk Tuesdays: Spotlight on Social Media
Throughout the month of May, we’ll be hosting three webinars on social media for those that are interested in taking their know-how to the next level.
19 April, 2021
3 strategies to engage shy adult learners
Children aren’t the only ones who sometimes lack the confidence to engage in class. Many adult students are also hesitant to participate in front of peers.
14 April, 2021
Family learning activities for Spring break
During this Spring break, take the time as a family to continue learning outside of the classroom to ensure kids don’t miss out on even more schooling.
06 April, 2021
4 literacy assessment tools for adult learners
Assessments can show when a learner is ready to progress to the next level of learning and identify areas that may need extra attention or focus. Here are four assessment tools to consider.
29 March, 2021
3 small steps to start your advocacy efforts (and 3 big ones too)
As a non-profit organization, it’s your goal to raise awareness about the important work you do and bring about change to the community that you serve. One of the ways to do this is through advocacy.
23 March, 2021
Employment agency uses essential skills & employability training to help learners prepare for work
The Ability Employment Corporation provides career counselling and job placement services to persons with intellectual disabilities as well as those facing barriers to employment.
18 March, 2021
3 tips to improve your digital literacy skills
Enjoying everything the world has to offer involves going using technology. But if you don’t feel confident in doing so, it can be hard to participate.
05 March, 2021
How to create a strong password to stay safe online
March is Fraud Prevention Month, an annual awareness initiative started by the Competition Bureau to help Canadians recognize, reject and report fraud.
01 March, 2021
What you need to know about the 2021 tax season
Tax season is around the corner, which means it’s a great time to brush up on your financial literacy skills and learn more about the Canadian taxation system.
24 February, 2021
4 simple steps to implement an employee training and development program
Developing a successful employee training and development program can be time-consuming, costly and challenging without the right tools. However, the benefits are worth the investment.
15 February, 2021
3 tips for recruiting adult literacy volunteers
As a non-profit organization with a limited staffing budget, volunteers are one of your most valuable resources – and for good reason.
09 February, 2021
How to build soft skills for employees
Soft skills are the non-technical skills that help employees interact effectively with others. These can include skills such as time management, confidence and adaptability.
26 January, 2021
Families, libraries and literacy groups to celebrate Family Literacy Day virtually
Despite physical distancing rules still in place across the country, many groups are getting creative in order to take part in the annual Family Literacy Day virtually on January 27th.
21 January, 2021
Why you should have a childlike imagination – even when you’re not a child
As children, we’re encouraged to think and play creatively – and for a good reason. Being imaginative is vital to a child’s cognitive development...
19 January, 2021
10 family learning activities for Family Literacy Day
After a year of limited mobility, ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging families to use their imagination to explore and travel the world from the comfort of their home.
13 January, 2021
4 tips for writing effective grant applications
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the non-profit world, brushing up on your grant writing skills is never a bad idea. Here are four tips for writing effective funding applications.
11 January, 2021
5 ways to travel the world from your own backyard
Award-winning illustrator and author Barbara Reid, who is the Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day, explains that travelling can be done anywhere. Here are Barbara’s top 5 activities...
06 January, 2021
University uses literacy resources to help international students adapt to life in Canada
At Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, about 17 per cent of its students are from abroad. For Deneice Falconer, it’s her job to support international students...
04 January, 2021
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award Honourable Mention Winners
A look at the great work being done by the four honourable mention winners of the 2020 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award.
02 December, 2020
How self-directed learning can benefit adult learners
Here’s what practitioners should know about self-directed learning so that they can start incorporating it into their literacy programs.
30 November, 2020
Adapting literacy programs for the blind community
BALANCE for Blind Adults provides customized training and support for persons who are blind or living with sight loss and recently ran two of our literacy programs.
25 November, 2020
How to evaluate your adult literacy program in 4 easy steps
In an industry that’s strapped for resources – both financial and human capital – it can be challenging to make program evaluation a priority.
16 November, 2020
The three different ways that adults learn
To help you with your adult learner teaching strategies, we’ve outlined the three different ways that adults learn and teaching tips for each.
12 November, 2020
Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award top winner: REP Here in Canada
Earlier this year, REP Here in Canada was awarded top honours for this year’s Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for their program, Here Magazine.
10 November, 2020
New program aims to strengthen the digital literacy skills of Canadians
ABC Internet Matters provides introductory digital literacy education for Canadian seniors who are not using the internet and adult learners who have a gap on the digital curve.
02 November, 2020
10 financial literacy tips to mark 10 years of Financial Literacy Month
In honour of the 10th anniversary of Financial Literacy Month, here are 10 financial literacy tips shared by adult learners that have participated in the Money Matters program.
22 October, 2020
New stress management course available for adult learners through ABC Skills Hub
Announcing the launch of an online learning portal that offers asynchronous, at-home delivery of its adult literacy programs: the ABC Skills Hub.
15 October, 2020
How to plan a successful literacy program for adult learners
To keep learners engaged, your literacy program needs to be set up in a way that helps learners acquire, retain and transfer new knowledge.
13 October, 2020
4 tips for teaching literacy to adults
Adults learn differently than children, which can make teaching quite difficult. To help keep your adult learners motivated, here are four helpful tips.
06 October, 2020
Women’s centre helps vulnerable seniors become tech-savvy
The North York Women’s Centre offers services such as employment readiness & violence prevention, but recently, they were keen to explore digital literacy.
02 October, 2020
ABC Life Literacy Canada with Skills/Compétences Canada celebrate 10 years of Essential Skills Day
Today marks the 10th year of Essential Skills Day, an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of essential skills training in strengthening Canada's workforce.
24 September, 2020
Youth learn financial literacy outside the classroom
The Student Leadership & Youth Empowerment Network is a Toronto-based non-profit that connects youth to different resources in their community.
09 September, 2020
Celebrating 30 years of literacy!
September 8, 2020 is our 30th birthday! Since our inception in 1990, we've worked tirelessly to support the literacy and learning community in Canada.
08 September, 2020
Where to find literacy worksheets for adults
In order to keep adult learners engaged throughout their learning, they need to be offered a variety of innovative programming and course material, including worksheets.
31 August, 2020REP Here in Canada wins top spot in the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award
ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce the top and honourable mention winners of the 2020 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award.
25 August, 2020
How to improve your essential skills
September is a time when not only children head back to school, but adults also look to begin healthier routines, start a home renovation or sign up for a new course.
24 August, 2020
New digital literacy resources aim to help older adults cope with physical distancing
Four new "lesson plans" written in clear language and formatted as step-by-step guides for at-home learning show adults how to use Skype, Zoom, Google Duo and FaceTime.
20 August, 2020
Community organization trials literacy programming with staff
Stella’s Circle in St John’s, NL is used to providing a wide variety of programming for its clients, including housing, clinical and employment services to people who have barriers to participation.
04 August, 2020
5 great teaching strategies for adults
Developing reading and writing skills can be difficult for anyone, particularly adults. Keeping learners motivated can be one of the most difficult aspects of running an adult literacy program.
22 July, 2020
Library adapts financial literacy program online
As we all adapt to the new normal amid COVID-19, literacy groups and other organizations across the country have begun offering remote programming.
13 July, 2020
Literacy groups learn to adapt to online program delivery
The past few months have thrown our lives upside down. Due to COVID-19, businesses and organizations have been forced to move online in order to keep afloat.
06 July, 2020
How to create an inclusive learning environment
As educators, there is an enormous opportunity to address racism in our classrooms and ensure that all of our learners feel that they are in a safe and inclusive learning environment.
23 June, 2020New workbook helps families learn about money together
We've just released a new workbook from our HSBC Family Literacy First program that focus on family financial literacy. The workbook is available in English, French and Simplified Chinese.
18 June, 2020
How to keep adult literacy learners engaged and motivated
Family responsibilities, jobs and household duties can limit the amount of time adults have to devote to education and hinder their ability to achieve their learning goals.
09 June, 2020
Non-profit uses online training to reach rural learners
Most literacy organizations and not-for-profits can agree that when it comes to resources, they are extremely limited – whether it be time, staff and volunteers, or money.
04 June, 2020
Study shows parents vital to helping improve children’s financial literacy skills
The survey found that teens who talked about finances with their parents, even just once a week, scored 33 points higher in financial literacy than those who did not.
14 May, 2020
The importance of health literacy during a pandemic
With so much information being shared on the internet and on social media, separating fact from fiction can be difficult.
13 May, 2020
Digital literacy helps us stay socially connected while physically distancing
About 84 per cent of jobs in Canada currently require computer and technical skills, and that number is only expected to increase in the coming years.
20 April, 2020
How financial literacy can help us through difficult times
With many people unemployed or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, being financially literate is more important than ever. Now is the perfect opportunity to increase your financial literacy skills.
17 April, 2020
How to support adult learners in a remote setting
Through remote learning, literacy practitioners can ensure their learners can continue developing their literacy skills. Here’s what you should keep in mind when building a distance learning program.
14 April, 2020
New financial literacy workbooks available for people with diverse abilities
Three new workbooks have been added to this financial literacy program designed for adults with various intellectual, verbal, physical and nonphysical capabilities.
03 April, 2020
Grimsby Public Library teaches adults to use new technology
When Ryan Waldron of the Grimsby Public Library received an email about a free digital literacy program, he thought it sounded like the perfect way to improve their existing digital literacy program.
17 March, 2020
How to protect yourself online
Improving your financial literacy skills is the best way to protect yourself from online financial fraud. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself from being scammed.
04 March, 2020
New literacy and essential skills program targets Newfoundland and Labrador
Activate Learning is a new program focused exclusively on supporting and empowering the population of Newfoundland and Labrador.
25 February, 2020
Three ways to attract more learners to your adult literacy program
While there are numerous literacy organizations intent on improving adult literacy rates, getting program awareness out can often be challenging.
19 February, 2020
How filing your taxes can help you access government benefits
Tax season is just around the corner, which means it’s a great time to brush up on your financial literacy skills.
12 February, 2020
Literacy Abbotsford teams up with local library to deliver digital literacy program to seniors
When Sharon Crowley read about a new digital literacy program from ABC Life Literacy Canada, it caught her eye.
06 February, 2020
Families, libraries and literacy organizations among groups set to celebrate Family Literacy Day 2020
Family Literacy Day is taking place on January 27th and hundreds of groups across the country are preparing to celebrate the annual initiative.
22 January, 2020Take 20 minutes to keep family literacy skills sharp
Putting aside just 20 minutes a day to do a fun learning activity – whether it’s reading a book, playing a game, following a recipe or singing a song – can have impact on parent and child.
15 January, 2020
Bring this valuable digital literacy program to your community
A new program aims to partner young people with strong online and tech skills with adult learners who want to improve their digital knowledge.
12 January, 2020
How to reduce screen time for the whole family
Reducing your electronic screen time and spending more time together learning as a family, can have many positive effects including developing better communications and social skills for children.
06 January, 2020
20 family literacy activities to keep you busy in 2020
In celebration of the 21st annual celebration, ABC Life Literacy Canada is offering 20 tips for families to do during 2020 to make sure everyone keeps their literacy skills sharp.
02 January, 2020
New financial literacy program available for people with diverse abilities
Like many students, Jenna Martinuzzi wasn't taught how to spend wisely or budget her money in school, so she took part in a financial literacy program designed for students with various abilities.
12 December, 2019
Employment program works financial literacy into the mix
A community literacy organization has added a new twist to its youth employment program. The Taber Youth Employment Program has incorporated financial literacy training into its instruction.
26 November, 2019
Montreal families celebrate Financial Literacy Month
Twenty-five children and their parents gathered at Dawson Boys & Girls Club to celebrate Financial Literacy Month at an event co-hosted with ABC Life Literacy and facilitated by HSBC volunteers.
21 November, 2019
Toronto shelter helps marginalized women develop digital literacy skills
Street Haven Toronto at the CrossRoads offers pathways for at-risk women. They are one of many organizations hosting workshops to help adults improve their digital literacy skills.
14 November, 2019
Digital literacy program flips the script with teens teaching adults
A new community program is hoping to make the most of this by pairing tech-savvy youth with adults hoping to improve their digital skills.
12 November, 2019
Digital literacy program now available in French
Youth Teaching Adults, a successful digital literacy program presented by ABC Life Literacy Canada and Youth Empowering Parents, has just been released in French.
24 October, 2019
Take charge of your finances with Money Matters
Financial Literacy Month encourages Canadians to take control of their financial well-being by making a budget, having a savings plan, and understanding their financial rights and responsibilities.
24 October, 2019
Adults and children should practice financial literacy together
When it comes to financial literacy, the statistics are startling. According to The Financial Planning Standards Council, four in 10 Canadians report that money is a daily concern.
23 October, 2019
The case for teaching financial literacy in the workplace
While youth are improving their financial literacy skills at school, an important group of people who could benefit from financial literacy education have been forgotten: adults in the workplace.
05 October, 2019
ABC Life Literacy Canada adds three new workshops to its UP Skills for Work program
In honour of the 10th annual Essential Skills Day, ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) has added three additional workshops to its UP Skills for Work employability skills program.
05 September, 2019
Family Services of Greater Vancouver is top winner of the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award
ABC Life Literacy is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award, which recognizes organizations innovative adult literacy and essential skills programs.
25 August, 2019
Printing company sees success with workplace training program
Canada’s largest printer of hardcover books is one of the latest companies jumping at the opportunity to upgrade their employees’ skills.
10 July, 2019
New family financial literacy resources encourage families to openly discuss money
ABC Life Literacy is pleased to announce that its HSBC Family Literacy First program has been renewed with a new focus on family financial literacy.
03 June, 2019
Youths teach digital literacy to adult learners
While some Canadians thrive on new and technology, others find it confusing and daunting. How do we connect tech-savvy individuals with those who could benefit the most from their knowledge?
28 March, 2019
UP Skills for Work a key tool for employability
Ambreen Sarai, Economic Reintegration Specialist for the City of Toronto is a big supporter of employability skills programming. Sarai is running UP Skills for Work for her clients.
25 March, 2019
Health literacy still an issue in Canada
October is Health Literacy Month. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 60 per cent of Canadian adults and 88 per cent of seniors are not health literate.
27 September, 2018
Money Matters for newcomers and new Canadians now available in Simplified Chinese
ABC Life Literacy is pleased to announce that Money Matters for Newcomers and New Canadians, a financial literacy program, is now available in Simplified Chinese.
09 August, 2018
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day with Money Matters for Indigenous Peoples
As the sun rises on the longest day of the year, ABC Life Literacy joins Canadians in celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and the many contributions of our country’s Indigenous Peoples.
21 June, 2018
Family literacy program reaches Canadians in five languages with new website and activities
ABC Life Literacy is proud to announce the new and improved HSBC Family Literacy First website – now with access to over 50 downloadable family learning activities.
17 April, 2018
Money Matters empowers newcomers and new Canadians to start the new year in control of their finances
ABC Life Literacy is ringing in the New Year with Money Matters for Newcomers and New Canadians, a financial literacy program for Canada’s newcomer community.
09 January, 2018
