Developing
Functional Literacy
refers to the practical skill set needed to read,
write, and do math for real-life purposes, so
people can function effectively in their
community. This definition comes from the
United National Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, an
international agency that researches
education, science, and communication.
Refers to the capacity of a person to engage in all
those activities in which literacy is required for
effective function of his or her group and community
and also for enabling him or her to continue to use
reading, writing and calculation for his or her own
and the community's development. (UNESCO
Institute for Statistics)
Why is functional literacy important?
Increased interest in this area has served as a
catalyst for research from which 'functional
literacy' has emerged as an important theme.
This model of literacy recognizes personal and
social needs and has played a key role in
furthering our understanding of the distribution,
consequences and causes of illiteracy.
Participatory Approach
Using participatory approaches in impact evaluation means involving stakeholders, particularly the
participants in a programme or those affected by a given policy, in specific aspects of the evaluation process.
Participatory approaches to learning are active approaches that encourage people to think for themselves.
Participants actively contribute to teaching and learning, rather than passively receiving information from
outside experts, who may not have local understanding of the issues.
Participatory approach, also known as Freirean Approach, is a teaching strategy that incorporates themes or
content area that are of interest to the learners. ... There are various activities that can be incorporated in this
teaching strategy which aim to develop all language domains in the learning process.
The Participatory Approach is a brainchild of Brazilian language educator Paulo Freire. Freire is
the author of the book "Pedagogy of the Oppressed". Many researchers have also referred to this
method as the Freirean Approach to language literacy education. The goal of this method is to use
language learning as a tool to provide solutions to social problems that impact learners in their
daily lives. According to Jurno (as cited in Spencer, 1992) Freire contends that unjust social
problems originate from illiteracy and the solution lies in helping learners empower themselves
from the circumstances they are in.
The Participatory Approach belongs under the umbrella of CBI because it employs themes and
topics that affect or interest learners. With this approach students are taking ownership of their
learning as well as adding cooperative learning as they have to collaborate with other classmates
in finding and endorsing solutions to social issues that affect the community they belong to.
A classroom using a participatory approach is different from many teacher-fronted classrooms
that have been typical in language learning setting. Participatory approach, through the concept
of Freire, opposes the old "banking method" of teaching where the teacher acts as depositor of
information and students act as recipients. Unlike the preceding methods, participatory approach
utilizes a two-way transaction of learning. In this method, the teacher and students collaborate
with each other with the teacher acting as a guide and facilitator. Over the course of the lessons,
teachers in participatory approach eventually turn over some facets of control to the students.
The topics are generated based from students’ realities and previous experience which make up
for an authentic and meaningful learning experience. Topics such as providing safety for women
and suggesting better solutions to personal struggles and community problems are discussed
allowing students to participate by expressing themselves.
Advantages of Participatory Approach
They use inexpensive resources.
They can be used in any physical setting.
They are interesting and fun helping to involve people in the subject.
They help people to build self-confidence.
They help people to learn about themselves.
They help people to understand the perspectives of others.
Participants with different degrees of experience and literacy can use them.
They prevent individuals from being singled out for what they know, or don't know.
They are less intimidating for less confident participants.
They can help people to analyze complex situations.
Outcomes are often documented during the process and do not depend on jargon.
They are memorable.
Lessons learnt can be brought back to local communities or organizations.
Disadvantages of Participatory Approach
They are difficult to plan, because planning often depends on what the participants want to do.
Involving stakeholders takes time.
It can take time for people who are used to being "students" rather than "participants" to feel
comfortable with these approaches.
Facilitator techniques can be difficult to master and use effectively.
They can make people feel uncomfortable, for example about drawing.
They can be difficult to document in a report format but can be documented well using
photographs or by keeping flipcharts.
Some people may not consider them to be valid ways of working.
Participants may be more focused on the creative, rather than learning, aspect of the activity.
It can be difficult to establish clear action points or conclusions from the activity.
