7.5 million illiterates in Germany

One in seven adults can not read and write properly

28/10/2013

7.5 million adults in this country can not read and write properly and thus encounter in everyday life again and again to its limits. Lack of understanding by the fellow human beings and the impossibility to shape one's own life lead to a retreat from the public with more and more illiterate people.

14.5% of the total population „functional illiterates“
More and more people in Germany have big problems reading and writing. As the study "Leo-Level-One Study" on the literacy of 18 to 64-year-old adults has shown, 7.5 million people, or 14.5% of the total population, are now restricted in their written competence and are therefore considered as „functional illiterates“. That's it „Functional illiteracy [...] not a marginal problem, but a challenge for society as a whole“, This is the opinion of Ralf Häder of the German Association for Literacy and Basic Education.

Those affected withdraw more and more
The restrictions for those affected should not be underestimated, because most of them can not live their lives on their own responsibility, but are constantly confronted with limits: „The affected people are constantly reaching their limits: with every purchase, with every journey from A to B. These borders mean that they often withdraw completely, "said Ralf Häder to the news agency dpa „undetected“ to stay, many would build up a veritable "protection system" or seek the help of family and friends to cope with the tasks of daily life.

Illiteracy does not automatically mean exclusion from working life
However, according to Häder, lack of reading and writing skills would not automatically lead to an unlucky life: „Not everyone lives badly, many have a job and a family.“ To this result was also the „Leo trial“ come: „Functional illiterates / inns are by no means excluded from the labor market on a broad front. A key result of the leo. - Level One study shows that 57% of the functional illiterate / inmates are gainfully employed. The shares collected for Germany coincide to a large extent with those in France from there Agence Nationale de la Lutte contre l'Illetrisme determined values“, Anke Grotlüschen, Wibke Riekmann and Klaus Buddeberg in a short report on the study.

Taboo is a big problem
Nevertheless, according to Häder at least as many sufferers, „who suffer from it and do not even find the way out“, Men and women of all ages and backgrounds are affected. A big problem is the taboo of illiteracy, whereby many sufferers of their environment would only reap incomprehension and blame, explains Häder to the dpa. Accordingly, it can not always be assumed that an open approach to one's own weakness is the best way, but conversely, attempts should be made not to push ahead with the taboo. That means, according to Häder, to address his fellow human beings in case of suspicion directly and to offer help - so that the topic does not even in the „Tabu Corner“ equipment.

Symposium brings functional illiteracy more into the public eye
Also this year's symposium literacy and basic education with the topic „New actors - new topics - new places“ The aim is to make the problem of adult functional illiteracy more public. From October 28th to 30th, over 200 experts from all over Germany and other European countries will meet in Nuremberg to present and discuss the latest research results, developments and projects. (No)

Picture: berwis