BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Course Pack 5

BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 5 provides a set of high-interest reading materials at an appropriate level of difficulty for the target learners. The course pack provides comprehension questions, vocabulary questions, spelling lists and exercises, and grammar exercises with provided answers for the instructor. Such materials could be useful to instructors and for engaging for students. Users should note that the resource is not a set of lessons; it does not explain how to teach strategies, comprehension, vocabulary, or writing.

The reading skills featured in the course pack are important skills, however despite being organized across chapters by a scope and sequence, they are not specifically aligned with any established adult literacy reading curriculum. The same is true for the spelling patterns/rules and writing skills featured across the chapters. There is no clear rationale for the vocabulary words that are pulled from the readings for the activities.

While those are limitations to the resource, the activities provide useful practice for the adult learner, and the answer keys can provide helpful immediate feedback. The readings should be topically interesting to adult learners, as they address different aspects of intelligence and brain function (see the author's "Notes To the Instructor").  Further, the readings are well written and at-level for the adult learner audience. This is a useful resource that will usually require supplemental instruction in the featured skills.