ERIC Number: ED337646
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991-May
Pages: 105
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Book Bridges: Its First Phase. An Evaluation.
Zakaluk, Beverley L.
The first phase of Book Bridges, an English-as-a-Second Language literacy project for immigrant women and their children, was evaluated. Fifteen clients completed the first 10-week, 60-hour program designed to increase English vocabularies, give clients opportunities to express ideas in English, and provide a framework for facilitating comprehension and memory both for stories and informational text. Each class had the following format: literature circle, writer's workshop, reading, and dialogue journals. Results of the Gates-MacGinitie standardized test, informal reading inventory, and other program data indicated that comprehension performance increased significantly, and although vocabulary growth was not significant, students were more confident as learners and found reading to their children beneficial. When costs were related to benefits gained by participants, the program was found to be cost effective. A number of questions and concerns arose in terms of managing the program. Key issues involved the target group, housing the program, program duration, volunteer recruitment and training, program orientation and assessment, refreshments, and publicity. (Recommendations in three categories--instruction and assessment, cost effectiveness, and program management--are provided throughout the report. Appendixes include 32 references, data tables, materials used and developed in the program, informal reading inventory, and standardized test results.) (YLB)
Descriptors: Adult Literacy, Cost Effectiveness, English (Second Language), Family Literacy, Females, Foreign Countries, Illiteracy, Immigrants, Intergenerational Programs, Literacy Education, Program Effectiveness, Program Evaluation, Second Language Instruction, Student Evaluation, Womens Education
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Junior League of Winnipeg (Manitoba).
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A