How to teach an adult how to read and write?

April 30, 2018 12:15 PM

My housekeeper is 65 years old, born in the United States, and fluent in English, which is his first language, but he never learned to read and write. I haven’t been able to find any local resources for him so I want to teach him myself. Help me learn to teach?

I explored local resources but they are directed towards ESL. I found one place offering literacy classes and they said he could come take the entrance test. When he showed up, they turned him away because English is his first language. The lack of compassion threw him for a loop and he is really frustrated. Even with the right resource, after this last experience I don’t think I could realistically get him to go. I am offering my time to tutor him twice a week if he would like.

I’m starting from ground zero here with regards to my teaching ability. I have some organic chemistry tutoring experience but that is it. Are there any particular resources you recommend, preferably free or available at the library? Any particular curriculum? Really, any advice is appreciate, including referral to other resources that may be better suited for teaching him.

posted by masters2010 to Education (6 answers total)

Where do you live? In Oakland, CA, the public library hosts (presumably via a different org) literacy classes for people of all backgrounds. In fact, I might call the public library to ask for resource suggestions since in many communities this is exactly the type of thing they're great at.
posted by tapir-whorf at 12:19 PM on April 30, 2018 [2 favorites]

The National Literacy Directory is a searchable database of over 7,000 local literacy programs and GED testing centers across the country. Make sure you use the filters to narrow it down to reading and writing programs.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 12:22 PM on April 30, 2018 [2 favorites]

I volunteered as an adult literacy tutor for a bit to a student who, like most in the program, had a similar background. Generally speaking, American-born adults who can't read have some sort of reading disability and received sub-par education that didn't address their specific needs. We used the Wilson reading system, but there are others.

I don't blame the ESL program for not accepting him, but they should have been able to refer him to an adult literacy program. Ideally, you will be able to find a good local program and get in-person training from them.

And I don't want to be negative, but I'd just make sure that you and he both realize that this is very likely going to be a long, slow, and frustrating process. There's no way to predict how fast he will learn, but if reading came to him naturally, he'd already be reading. Be prepared to spend six months and still be working on the difference between "bad" and "sad." After ten years of very hard work with many tutors, my student was on a mid-elementary reading level.

That said, it can also be an incredibly rewarding and productive effort that's well worth the effort. Good luck!
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 12:38 PM on April 30, 2018 [12 favorites]

Mr.Know-it-some makes a good point. Do you know what your housekeeper's educational history is, or anything that might shed light on why he never learned how to read? (If he has dyslexia, for example, you'll want to look for strategies specific to that.)
posted by trig at 12:46 PM on April 30, 2018 [1 favorite]

I have used the Laubach Way to Reading, and other materials, all from New Readers Press. Here is their Level 1.

New Readers Press is the publishing arm of ProLiteracy, which might be of other use to you.

The process can be frustrating to both of you. But it's a great thing to do!
posted by maurreen at 2:02 PM on April 30, 2018 [1 favorite]

I just read a book with this setup as the plot (employer tries to teach illiterate housekeeper). If you want your expectations soundly lowered, or just want a nice book, look for Bitter Almonds.
posted by batter_my_heart at 2:44 PM on April 30, 2018 [2 favorites]