Learner Profile 4

Personal

• Male, 56 years old, retired, widowed.

School experiences

• You had limited schooling.
• You went to school until you found work.
• You were not in any special education classes when you were in school.
• You thought about going to night school, but this is the first time you’ve enquired about upgrading.

Needs/wants

• Your wife used to handle most of the reading and writing. You need to improve your reading and writing skills so that you can manage for yourself.
• You have transportation and lots of time.

Reading

• You can read a few signs and labels.
• You can read you name, address and phone number.
• You want to be able to read information you get in the mail, your phone bill, light bill and so on.
• You would like to read about people and places (non-fiction).
• You feel embarrassed when you have to read something and usually find an excuse not to read.
• You have a friend who helps you with reading and writing.

Writing

• You can write your name, address (with assistance) and phone number.
• You are very nervous about writing.
• You usually get someone else to write for you.
• You try to avoid writing.

Math

• You can add and subtract, but have difficulty with multiplication and division.
• You can figure out some of your bills and most of your cheques.
• You would like to know more about the metric system.
• You think your math skills are okay.

Nova Scotia tutor and instructor training and certification program: Facilitator’s guide. (n.d.). Halifax, Nova Scotia: Adult Education Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Education. Used with permission.

Handout 9.8