ED465309 - Health Literacy and Adult English Language Learners. ERIC Q & A - ERIC-ED465309 | Content Details

ED465309 - Health Literacy and Adult English Language Learners. ERIC Q & A

Source Institution: National Center for ESL Literacy Education, Washington, DC.; Center for Applied Linguistics, Washington, DC

Sponsoring Agency: Office of Vocational and Adult Education (ED), Washington, DC. Adult Learning and Literacy Clearinghouse

Subject: Adult Education, Basic Skills, English (Second Language), Health Promotion, Language Skills, Literacy Education, Second Language Learning, Student Participation

Abstract: This question-and-answersheet defines health literacy and its importance in the United States, discussing implications for adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners, instructors, and programs. It also offers recommendations for addressing health literacy in the ESL classroom. It focuses on what health literacy is (a constellation of skills, including the ability to perform basic reading and numeric tasks required to function in the health care environment); how literacy and health professionals are responding to health literacy needs; obstacles that ESL learners may encounter (e.g.,lack of access to basic health care due to language barriers and lack of information, lack of language skills, and lack of awareness of the U.S. health care culture); challenges for ESL instructors (e.g., lack of knowledge about health issues and unfamiliarity with students' cultural beliefs on health issues); types of activities to develop health literacy (e.g., practice dialogues); and how programs can use a part.icipatory approach to health literacy instruction. A list of relevant resources is included. (Contains 15 references.) Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education).