TEACHER TRAINING

WORKSHOP

ADULT LITERACY
 INTRODUCTION:
WHY ARE WE HERE?
1.Because illiteracy is a problem:
a. In the world
b. In our Nation
c. In our Churches &
Communities
d. In our Families
Two-Thirds of the world’s illiterate people are women
2.Because we can, in a few hours and
with little cost, learn and then teach a
skill which will stop illiteracy.
3.Because literacy is a foundation for
any successful sustainable
development.
4.Because our Lord desires that every
person enjoy a better life here and
now.
SO WHAT IS
LITERACY MINISTRY?
Literacy ministry is an outreach
done through a local Church or
Christian organization (or
individual) to teach adults how to
read and write in their own
language.
THREE MAIN GOALS FOR A
BIBLE-BASED LITERACY
MINISTRY:

1. To give the poor a practical tool that

will help them to have a better life.
2. To help believers to read the Word
of God for themselves in their own
language.
3. To share the Gospel with non-
readers; witnessing about God’s
great love.
WHY TEACH
ADULTS TO READ?
GROUP EXERCISE
…So
1. ADULTS NEED TO LEARN
2. ADULTS CAN LEARN
A BIBLICAL BASIS
FOR LITERACY

Literacy in the New Testament

Literacy in the Old Testament

OVERVIEW OF THE
PRIMER
General Characteristics of LEI Primers:
They use picture words
Teach syllables
Have relevant stories
A consistent lesson format, and include
Bible content.
Both learning and teaching with these
primers is easy.
WHO MAKES THE PRIMER?
Persons who speak the target
language

WHO LEARNS WITH THE PRIMER?

Adults who already speak the
language fluently but cannot read it.
WHO TEACHES WITH THE PRIMER?
Normally, non-professional,
volunteer teachers that have been
trained teach with the primer.

WHO TRAINS WITH THE PRIMERS?

Those who have attended an LEI
trainers course can train non-
professional, volunteer teachers.
WALK THROUGH A
PRIMER
 WITNESS AND
DISCIPLESHIP
Witnessing in a literacy class will happen—
whether we plan for it or not. It should be
natural and not overly rehearsed.
1. PLAN A SILENT, INDIRECT WITNESS
2. PLAN AN OPEN, DIRECT WITNESS

WITNESS WITH THE CARD HOLDER

DISCIPLESHIP
 HOW DO WE TEACH
ADULTS?
WHEN TEACHING ADULTS
REMEMBER:
1.Adults learn faster but forget faster
2.Non-literate adults carry “two
loads”— fear of embarrassment and
fear of failure.
3.Adults are more critical and more
sensitive than children.
4. Adults want immediate benefits
from their learning.
5. Adult classes will be made up of
more differences than classes of
children.
6. Adults must have interest in
what is taught.
7. Adults past age 40 may resist
demands for speed.
8. Adults are often tired or worried
when they come to class.
9. Adults often have poor
vision/sight.
 STARTING A
LITERACY CLASS
Be a Good Teacher
Choose a place to teach
Choose a time to teach
Choose a class size
Collect materials
 KEEPING A LITERACY
CLASS GOING
HOW TO KEEP A CLASS ALIVE:
1. Be faithful with your time
2. Be friendly
3. Visit absentees
4. Be sure every adult learns
something new and useful
during each class time
5. Be an interesting teacher
6. SET a goal, REACH the goal
and then AWARD the goal