How learning to read changes lives ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Hello. This is 6 minute English from BBC

Learning English I'm Phil. And I'm Beth.

Are you a big reader. Phil? Sure. I enjoy reading and

it's also a great way to pass the time on my daily commute to work.

But reading isn't just a nice thing to do -

it's an essential skill,

something you need for everyday activities,

whether that is finding out the news by reading a newspaper or buying groceries

by reading the labels.

And that's why I was shocked by a recent UN report estimating that

around the world over 700 million adults are illiterate,

which means they can't read or write.

Wow! That's a huge number of people excluded

from doing basic day-to-day things.

So, what can be done to get more adults reading and writing? In this programme,

we'll be hearing about projects in two very different countries

trying to do just that.

And, as usual, we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary

as well.

But first, I have a question for you, Phil.

I mentioned a recent UN

report on the high numbers of people unable to read and write,

but illiteracy is not a new problem. Since 1967, the UN

has been highlighting the importance of literacy, being able to read

and write with a day of celebration called International Literacy Day.

But when does it take place? Is it:

a) the 8th of March? b) the 8th of June? or c)

the 8th of September?

I think International Literacy Day is on the 8th of September.

OK Phil, we'll find out if that's correct

at the end of the programme.

The biggest reason people grow up illiterate

is not going to school and that's especially true for people living

in the coastal towns of Bangladesh. Because these towns flood

regularly, families are always on the move, making it hard

for children to get an education.

The Friendship Project teaches reading and writing

to groups of Bangladeshi women and girls.

They also teach numeracy, which means the ability to do basic maths

like counting and adding up. Here

one student, Rashida explains the impact

it's had on her to BBC World Service Programme,

'People fixing the world':

My parents never sent me to school and I've suffered from not being able

to read and write. My children were embarrassed that I was illiterate.

I couldn't even do basic accounting. Until now,

I've had to use my fingerprint as a signature as I was illiterate,

but now I can sign my name because I can read and write the alphabet,

and I'll also be able to keep an account of my expenses.

No one can cheat me anymore.

Before the friendship project, Rashida

couldn't write her signature -

her name written in her own handwriting.

Instead, she had to use her fingerprint. Now, Rashida

has learnt the alphabet and also some basic maths,

so she knows how much money

she's spent and how much

she has left. This means no one can cheat her, can trick or swindle her

into taking her money.

The friendship project is free

and so far over 11,000 adults have completed it.

But it's not just developing countries that struggle with literacy.

Our second project takes place much closer to home - the north

of England, where charity

Readeasy matches

adult learners with trained volunteers for one-to-one lessons.

In the UK, one in six adults struggle with reading and writing,

including Peter.

Peter had hearing problems as a child, fell behind at school

and never learned to read.

Here he is talking with BBC

World Service programme, 'People Fixing the World':

Everyone takes for granted

that you just open a letter

and you read it. Before I met my wife,

I used to have to knock on the neighbour's door.

"Could you read this for me?"

Can you imagine the embarrassment? I've tried college - twice.

Nothing worked, so as far as I'm concerned,

  I'm thick, I'm stupid, I'm just one of those people.

It's never gonna work for me. And that was my life.

Many of us take it for granted that everyone can read and write.

If you take something for granted,

you assume it's true

without checking. Peter had to ask his neighbours to read his letters,

something he found very embarrassing.

He thought he was thick - stupid and unintelligent.

Now, Peter says learning with Readeasy has changed his life. He's literate

and is reading his way through the Harry Potter books.

And he always celebrates International Literacy Day.

Which reminds me of your question,

Beth. When does the UN's International Literacy Day take place?

I said it was on the 8th of September.

And that was the correct answer.

OK, let's recap the vocabulary

we've learnt from this programme, starting with 'illiterate',

meaning unable to read and write.

Numeracy is the ability to understand basic maths, count and add up.

Your signature is your name written in your own handwriting style.

It shows that something has been written

or agreed by you. To cheat someone means to trick

or deceive them in order to get their money or valuables.

If you take something for granted,

you assume that it's true without checking up.

And finally, the adjective 'thick' is an informal word for stupid.

Once again, our six minutes are up,

but remember to join us again next time

for more trending topics and useful vocabulary here at 6 Minute

English. Goodbye

for now! Bye!