One in six adults’ literacy lower than that of an 11-year-old
March 30th, 2010 - 5:39 pm ICT by ANILondon, Mar 30 (ANI): A new study has revealed that one in six adults have lower literacy than the level expected of an 11-year-old.
The research found that only half of children enjoy reading, and that a quarter do not recognise any link between reading and success.
According to the National Literacy Trust, the report, ‘Literacy: State of the Nation’ is the first coherent, national picture of reading and writing abilities.
The study was conducted on more than 17,000 pupils from 112 schools.
And the survey suggested that most read e-mails, blogs and websites more frequently than books. And that children, who engage in technology, were more likely to enjoy writing than their classmates.
While literacy levels have risen among 11-year-olds in the past decade, they have levelled out in writing. Yet three-quarters of parents said their child often read for pleasure.
The report also analysed reading and writing in the workplace, and found widespread concerns.
Almost seven in ten retail firms and half of manufacturing companies reported problems with literacy among staff.
Nearly two-thirds of men and three-quarters of women with very low literacy skills had never received a promotion, it found.
Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, said the findings were “extremely worrying”.
“We believe this should be of great concern to all political parties as reading for pleasure helps to develop strong literacy skills and ultimately, supports academic and future success,” Times Online quoted him as saying.
“The Treasury estimated the cider tax will bring in 30 million pounds.
“For just a tenth of this money the Government could establish which adults are most in need of literacy support and run a year-long campaign to support children and adults who are struggling with literacy.
“It is estimated that poor literacy costs the economy 2.5billion pounds a year,” he stated.
Andrew Motion, the former Poet Laureate, said: “Literacy is the key to the door of belonging to your self, your society and your world.”
“In hard times such as we are now entering, when the risk of inequality will increase, literacy and its unlocking matter more than ever,” he added. (ANI)
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