Adult Literacy Program

More than 250 million women in Asia are illiterate—they don’t know how to read and write. This makes GFA World’s adult literacy program a crucial need. The women in the program face many challenges in their daily lives, and the income potential is low for those who can’t read. They are often forced to take lower income jobs, with no possibility of other options to provide for their families.

“Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen, and use numeracy and technology, at a level that enables people to express and understand ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, to achieve their goals, and to participate fully in their community and in wider society.”1

Various organizations have different strategies on how to teach adult literacy, but there are several commonalities. Literacy programs commonly include phonemic awareness—how sounds work together in language. Also, the student gains an understanding of reading comprehension.

An adult literacy program through GFA World generally contains these aspects:
  • Reading Basics     – In GFA literacy classes, GFA missionaries teach the basics of letters and the sounds they make. Teachers write letters and words, often on a chalkboard, teaching the participants everything needing to become literate, starting with the very basics.
  • Writing Basics – People learn how to write the letters of their language. Teachers guide the student’s hand and often teach them how to hold a writing utensil. They support the students through the frustrations of learning an entirely new skill.
  • Math Basics – Participants learn how numbers work—addition, subtraction and so on. This knowledge opens up many new opportunities.
When a woman learns to read and write, a new world opens to her. She can now read warning labels, road signs and contracts. She can read to her children and help them with their schoolwork. These interactions help her children with their own literacy and development.

Math skills are also very important in the quest for literacy. When women understand basic math, they can understand contracts, rental agreements, etc. Women are less likely to be taken advantage of in the marketplace when they have basic math skills.


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