PERCEPTIONS OF LITERACY AND ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS

There are numerous definitions of literacy in the literature but relat ively few data on the views of adult learners in literacy programs reg arding literacy and even fewer on the views of adult literacy instruct ors. This study examined the views of 94 learners and 31 teachers rega rding literacy as well as the actual classroom experiences of a subgro up of learners. Results showed that learners tended to view literacy f rom a fundamental perspective but entered programs for job-related rea sons. Their teachers viewed literacy from a functional perspective but presented programs that were fundamental in nature. Emancipatory view s were reflected to a very limited extent in either views of literacy or actual classroom experiences.