| The purpose of this article is to send a message to | | | | writing. |
| anyone struggling with reading and writing that they | | | | Learning a skill is not always fun and much practise is |
| are skills and can be learned. It is never too late! | | | | needed but perseverance is easy when the end |
| 46% of the Australian population do not have the | | | | result is kept in mind. When excuses are given up and |
| literacy and numeracy skills required to participate | | | | the idea that achievement is possible takes over |
| effectively in modern Australia. This has nothing to do | | | | learning occurs. |
| with intelligence or self worth. | | | | People whose literacy skills are poor are not |
| These figures are also nearly three years old. They | | | | unintelligent and develop amazing coping skills to |
| come from the Australian Bureau of Statistics survey | | | | compensate. Many have excellent speaking skills and |
| conducted as part of an international study of literacy | | | | rely on family members to assist them with reading |
| and numeracy. | | | | and writing. |
| The numbers are not skewed by non English | | | | The overwhelming obstacle an adult struggling with |
| speaking migrants or the unemployed. | | | | literacy has to overcome is the feeling of inferiority |
| The report alerted that there is a crisis in reading and | | | | and lack of self worth. I can't play the guitar because |
| writing skills in the work place here in Australia and it | | | | I didn't stick with the early practise and gave up. Not |
| was fundamentally ignored by the press. The | | | | being able to play the guitar does not mean I am an |
| Australian Government was troubled by it for in the | | | | inferior person. I can decide to start lessons again |
| 2010 budget there is an allocation of money for adult | | | | and put in the effort and then reap the rewards of |
| literacy instruction. | | | | guitar playing. |
| If people knew the extent of the problem perhaps | | | | If you want to develop your literacy skills the first |
| they would not feel so isolated and as a community | | | | thing to understand and accept is that not being able |
| Australians could support one another. | | | | to read and write means there is something to be |
| Reading and writing are skills. The fact that close to | | | | learned. It's nothing to do with your value as a |
| half the adult population face difficulties in language | | | | person. |
| and numeracy means the fundamental skills have not | | | | Deciding to get support is a choice you can make. |
| been mastered. | | | | There is a lot of support available by many caring |
| Many students get lost in class and do not receive | | | | people. The Reading Writing Hotline here in Australia is |
| the individual attention they need in the early years | | | | a good place to start. Literacy is not only about |
| of schooling. There are discipline issues in schools and | | | | learning to read and write it is about being an active |
| many students do not have the focus (for a variety | | | | participant in your life and community. |
| of reasons) that is needed to master reading and | | | | Now about guitar lessons! |