208 pages
244mm x 170mm
ISBN-10: 1 85856 348 8
ISBN-13: 978 1 85856 348 0
June 2006

'a useful and thought provoking book...It is an excellent case study of how adult learning has developed from fragmented, piecemeal and ad hoc programmes to become a legitimate area of educational activity and embedded on a national strategy'. - Studies in the Education of Adults

The Skills for Life strategy in England has directed much attention towards developing professional practice for teaching basic skills to adults. How did this practice begin and who was involved in its creation? Which practices have survived from the early days and how have they affected the field as it is today?

This book examines the key moments in the history of adult literacy, numeracy and language, identifying the levers of change. It draws together lessons learnt from practitioners and policymakers, and the views expressed by adult learners and others just entering adulthood at the time of the 1975 Right to Read campaign. Timelines help illustrate the main themes - such as assessment, publicity and changing technologies - that have informed the last three decades of basic skills practice. Stories from people involved in the field point up good practice, as do examples of materials, documents and student writing which exemplify the changing culture and ethos of basic skills.

The book provides the context and critical history to guide practitioners who are working towards their national qualifications in teaching basic skills. It is also for researchers and professionals in the field who wish to gain a deeper understanding of their professional practice. It will illuminate this ever enlarging, student-centred field.

Dr Mary Hamilton is Professor of Adult Learning and Literacy at Lancaster University and co-author of a number of books including Local Literacies with David Barton and Powerful Literacies with Jim Crowther and Lynn Tett.
Dr Yvonne Hillier is Senior Lecturer in Continuing Education at City University and co-author with Jill Jameson of Empowering Researchers in Further Education.