MODERN STATE OF BASIC ADULT EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT IN CANADA

Abstract

The article deals with peculiarities of functioning of basic adult education in Canada at the beginning of the XXI century. Essence of concept «basic adult education» is analyzed. It was traced that Canadian pedagogical thought views basic adult education as umbrella term that includes wide spectrum of credit and non-credit programs for pupils, the age of who is higher than age of traditional pupils, who finish school, that are aimed at helping adults at achieving their goals: to higher the level of literacy and get certificate; make stronger social skills, make stronger the sense of independence and self-identity; get basic knowledge for further studies and coming into labour market; develop knowledge in some questions that are important for adult students: perfection of technological literacy; improvement of communicative skills; learning English as foreign language. Social groups of people who use services in adult education are classified, namely: immigrants whose native language is not English or French; native inhabitants of Canadian provinces or territories; pensioners; persons who don’t have certificate of secondary education, the unemployed or people who have low level of qualification; categories of persons with low level of income or salary. It is stressed that it is of prior necessity to conduct activities that are aimed at obliteration of low level of literacy for equal and effective inclusion of all people, who get adult education in economic, political, civil, social and cultural life of their society and country to achieve their progress and development. Essence of concept «literacy» is viewed. Skills that are included into concept «basic literacy» are systematized. Legislative basis that regulates adult education functioning in Canada is explored. National organizations that are providers of adult education in Canada are singled out. Key components of Canadian system that is aimed at increasing of adults basic skills are the following national organizations: Canadian Agency of Basic Skills, Canadian Literacy Movement, Canadian Federation of Alphabetization, National Association of Aborigens Literacy, National Association of Aborigens Literacy, Laubach Literacy Agency, Frontier college.

Key words: adult education; Canada; literacy; Organization of economic cooperation and development; UNESCO; basic adult education; basic literacy.