Literate vs.

Non-literate Learners


Literate Learners Non-Literate Learners
Learn from print

Tend to be visually oriented

Make lists to remember

Spend years learning to read

Know they can learn

Have varying needs and goals

Learn best when content is relevant
to their lives

Can distinguish between important
and less important points




Literate vs. Non-literate Learners

Literate Learners Non-Literate Learners
Learn from print Learn from doing and watching
Tend to be visually oriented Tend to be aurally oriented
Make lists to remember Repeat to remember
Spend years learning to read Have a limited time for learning to
read
Know they can learn Lack confidence in their learning
ability
Have varying needs and goals Have varying needs and goals
Learn best when content is relevant
to their lives
Learn best when content is relevant
to their lives
Can distinguish between important
and less important points
May accept all content as being of
equal value


From What Non-Reader or Beginning Readers Need to Know: Performance Based ESL Adult Literacy by Shirley Brod, Spring
Institute for International Studies, 1999