Book Review of Judy Kalman and Brian Street's book: Literacy and Numeracy in Latin America.

What is it about?

The review examines basic theoretical and methodological approaches in literacy discussed in the book, synthesizes research on how different communities use oral and written language in their every day lives, as well as literacy and numeracy experiences in formal educational settings.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

International aid initiatives promote reading reforms in order to improve the plight of poor and disadvantaged children in other countries. However, there are a number of assumptions not usually addressed in these initiatives. The research in this book is powerful to debunk at least two of those assumptions: (1) literacy consists of a discrete set of formal and replicable skills in reading and writing, and (2) school-based literacy initiatives result in social and economic development.