Appendix E – Essential Skills

The Essential Skills

The following skills have been identified by literacy practitioners and LBS program managers as essential to the success of a full-time entry- level literacy practitioner in college LBS programs.

Approaches to Adult Learning and Learners

The entry- level full-time literacy practitioner in college LBS programs will:

• Apply theories of adult learning and teaching and of literacy learning and teaching.
• Establish a positive professional relationship with adult learners, showing and encouraging sensitivity to a diverse student population.
• Take into account the factors which affect learning, such as: learner motivation, common barriers to learning (e.g., anxiety, self-esteem); impact of previous learning experiences; and learner life circumstances.
• Adapt to individual learning styles.
• Recognize special needs and devise strategies to help adult learners with special needs.

General Teaching Methods and Strategies

The entry- level full-time literacy practitioner in college LBS programs will:

• Apply the principles and methods of collaborative goal setting and program planning.
• Contribute, in collaboration with colleagues and learners, to the ongoing development of learner-centred curriculum.
• Use appropriate criteria in selecting, adapting, and creating classroom materials which motivate learners, promote equity, use clear language and design, and are appropriate to adult learners.
• Maintain current knowledge of available teaching and learning resources.
• Apply strategies to foster group functioning, individualizing instruction in the group setting where appropriate.

Teaching Literacy and Numeracy

The entry- level full-time literacy practitioner in college LBS programs will:

• Use a range of approaches and methods in the teaching of reading and writing to help learners develop skills and strategies for success.
• Use a range of approaches and methods in the teaching of numeracy to help learners develop skills and strategies for success.
• Assist learners to cope effectively with the common barriers to success in reading, writing and math.