Literacy Nova Scotia

Reading and writing are fundamental skills.  Literacy encompasses these skills – and so much more.

“The concept of literacy today is much broader than the ability to read or write.  It’s about being able to manage print information from all sources.  It’s about understanding the world around you,” says Ann Marie Downie, executive director of the Literacy Association of Nova Scotia.

That understanding is a struggle for many Nova Scotians.

“Many people in our province don’t have a high enough literacy to make life easy for them,” says Downie.  “Four in ten people here and across the country, grapple in some way with literacy.” 

Fortunately, they have a helping hand in Literacy Nova Scotia, as the Truro-based association is commonly called.  Established in 1992, it is an umbrella organization that supports literacy groups and initiatives across the province.

“We support those who deliver literacy programs,” explains Downie. “Our major focus has been training of practitioners.  We offer professional development to those who do the teaching.”

That development and support is critical.  An adult who decides to return to learning has an expectation of receiving quality instruction and, in fact, that is their right. That is also bolstered by Nova Scotia’s unique and resourceful educational system. 

“Nova Scotia has the School for Adult Learning.  A person can plug into this at any stage in their life,” says Downie. “It is one of the few provinces that has an adult high school diploma.  It’s very innovative.”

Literacy programs  are divided into four levels in the province.  The first two levels are delivered primarily by community groups, of which there are approximately 30.  “There is at least one community group in every county,” says Downie.

The last two levels are supported by community groups and/or the Nova Scotia Community College.  As well, most people can get high school credits from local adult high schools.

“We have a very comprehensive system and training structure in Nova Scotia.  We actively support that structure,” says Downie.

Literacy training for adults is not the same as teaching children, she points out. 

“They don’t need more of the same.  They need a resourceful and innovative approach that is going to work for them.”

They also need a tried-and-true approach – and one that reflects modern realities.  The Literacy Association of Nova Scotia is currently developing a practitioner training program, a creative initiative that will allow practitioners to access professional development opportunities  no matter where they are in Nova Scotia

“It’s hard to deliver fact-to-face training.  We’re going to use a multi-media approach so that most of the training materials will be online,” says Downie.

The program, she adds, can be done in real time, and it can be self directed.

It’s all part of the Literacy Association of Nova Scotia’s goal to create a sustainable, effective, and flexible literacy landscape. 

“We want the very best teaching.  That’s why we’re here.  We want to help.”

For the Association, which has 200 individual and organizational members, learning is a lifelong process that should be welcomed and encouraged.

“We want Nova Scotia to be a place where people are learning all through their lives.  We want Nova Scotia to be a place that celebrates that learning,” says Downie.
“We’re well on our way,” she adds. 

The Literacy Association of Nova Scotia, which has four full-time staff, is central to the development of learning programs, and the celebration that accompanies such accomplishments. 

“One of our roles is to promote literacy,” says Downie.

In Nova Scotia, there is a warm welcome for such efforts, notes Downie

“Nova Scotians value education and learning at all levels.  We have embraced the concept – and the vital importance – of literacy.  The new understanding of literacy is grabbing hold very quickly and very firmly in our province.  We are fortunate,” she says.