Myth #1: If there’s a problem with basic skills in Canada, it’s because of our high level of immigration.
The IALS reports show that significant numbers of immigrants, in most IALS countries, are at the lowest two levels of literacy skill. However, Canada is unique in that more than 25% of our immigrant population tested at the highest literacy levels. This is due to our bimodal immigration policy. Attracting professionals and investors has meant that we have attracted highly literate immigrants. No other country in the survey has as many immigrants at the highest level of the IALS scale. The proportion of our immigrant population at the highest IALS level is greater than the proportion of the Canadian-born population at that same level. Immigrants raise the Canadian mean; they do not lower it.

Myth #2: You either read or you don’t read. You’re either literate or you’re not.
When IALS refers to the ‘lowest literacy level,’ or level 1, it does not mean the absence of the ability to read. The study concludes that the overwhelming majority of Canadians can read. But it poses the question: “Can they read well enough to deal with the range of difficulty found in tasks they encounter in their daily lives?” More than simply the ability to read, IALS defined literacy in relation to a person’s skills in doing everyday things—the ability to deal with daily life, particularly in the workplace. But that is why it is very important to distinguish among IALS levels, and not to add them up. Each level tells us something quite different or discrete about the skills of persons at those levels. Literacy can no longer be viewed as a “you have it or you don’t” phenomenon but, rather, as a continuum of contextually-relevant skills.

Myth #3: Essential skills are a firm foundation. Once you’ve got them, you never lose them.
IALS data indicates a clear relationship between proficiency and the use of literacy skills in daily life and at work; in other words, regular practice sustains and enhances performance in literacy. Whether it’s reading or brain surgery, all skills, are a "use it or lose it” phenomena. Learning is a lifelong pursuit. And much of our lives are spent at work. Learning at work is an inevitable requirement for an adaptable, appropriately skilled workforce. For example, some sub-populations of Canadians who were included in the study— seniors or people on social assistance—were people who had experienced some longer-term detachment from the workplace. The longer away from work, the more likely they showed signs of deterioration in literacy skill.

Myth #4: Essential skills are a reflection of one’s education.
Not surprisingly, there is a strong correlation between literacy skills and educational attainment in Canada. Generally speaking, the more formal education we have, the higher our literacy skills. However, while literacy is closely related to education, it is not synonymous with it. The IALS reports that correlations between literacy and educational attainment account for just one third of the variations in literacy skills – suggesting considerable variations relate to other factors. Indeed, many people do not demonstrate the literacy skills one might expect given their educational background: 20% of the Canadians in the IALS sample have lower literacy skills than the model of educational attainment would predict, and about 16% have higher skills. Again, it’s a “use it or lose it” phenomenon.