Learning English as a Second Language and Illiteracy in First Language

CHAPTER TWO : REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The first part of this literature review discusses the definitions of literacy , illiteracy , preliterate , non-literate or illiterate semi-literate or interrupted school . In addition , this chapter presents the causes and effects of illiteracy , an analysis of dropout rates and statistics of illiterate Hispanic in the US . The aim of this literature review is to help develop a background study for the study of English as a second language , and the study of illiteracy

The second part of this chapter discusses the process of learning to read and

write being an illiterate in the first language . Research shows that the ability to acquire a second language being an adult learner depends on the literacy skills on the native language . The second part of this literature review would help connect the study of literacy and language together

Literacy

Definition

Functional literacy is the possession of skills perceived as necessary by particular persons and groups to fulfill their own self-determined objectives as family and community members , citizens , consumers job-holders , and members of social , religious , or other associations of their choosing . This includes the ability to read and write adequately to satisfy the requirements they set for themselves as being important for their own lives the ability to deal positively with demands made on them by society and the ability to solve the problems they face in their daily lives ' Huntley (1990

The term illiterate adult ' in the U .S , by contrast , connotes a person who fails to posses those skills or possesses some reading skills but not enough to cope with day-to-day living in a modern society Huntley (1990

In an ESL context , it is necessary to define the different levels of literacy and the factors that influence the ways that adult 's English literacy develops . For example , the term preliterate ESL learners come from cultures where a written language is uncommon or underdeveloped Preliterate English learners have had little or no exposure to written text and may or may not have exposure to written literacy in their daily life (Huntley , 1992 . These learners progress slowly and they need to begin learning pre-reading tasks like visual discrimination , sound correspondence , skills and concepts . They learn through repetition and recitation

Non-literate or Illiterate ESL learners are those who , due to their socioeconomic status in their home countries , have not been able to attend school . Written literacy and a written language are available in their first language . These learners have had some exposure to written literacy but they cannot interpret it . They cannot make full use of written material in the classroom and are reluctant to reveal their literacy level in the classroom . Illiterate ESL learners value the opportunity to learn because this right was limited to them because of war , geographic location or poverty . Some illiterate ESL Spanish speaking learners come from Central America (Burt Peyton , 2003

Similarly , semi-literate or interrupted school ESL learners may have had access to literacy in their native country but have not achieved a higher level...