Improve your reading, writing, and computer skills
Would you help us identify low literacy? Please complete the questionnaire!
Low literacy—we all have to deal with it!
Low literacy refers to people who have great difficulty with reading, writing, arithmetic, and/or digital skills. People with low literacy are not illiterate. They can read and write. However, they do not yet meet the final level of VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education) or MBO-2/3 (senior secondary vocational education). People with low literacy have difficulty with, among other things:
- filling out forms (healthcare allowance, taxes)
- type an email
- reading aloud to a (grand)child
- working with computers
- debit cards and digital payments
- recharge a public transport chip card
Recognizing low literacy
People with low literacy skills are very good at hiding their problem. They regularly use excuses to avoid reading and writing. If you think someone might have difficulty reading and writing, check first. Talk about it together. No one is alone. There are millions of people who have difficulty reading, writing, doing math, and using a computer.
The top 10 excuses
- "Sorry, I forgot my glasses."
- "I'll fill out that form at home."
- "My handwriting is so illegible, you do it for me."
- I'll give you that work slip later.
- "I always let the children do the shopping."
- "Those package inserts are all so complicated."
- "Oh, I thought that appointment was tomorrow."
- "That headache just won't go away."
- "Television already provides enough information."
- "I can't read because I'm dyslexic."
Digi-Taalhuis West Maas en Waal
The Digi-Taalhuis is intended for people who want to improve their Dutch reading, writing, and/or speaking skills or become more digitally literate. Anyone with a language-related question is welcome to visit. You can get information or advice about practicing with a language volunteer, language courses, or computer programs you can use on your own.
There is also a mobile version of the Digi-Taalhuis. The Mobile Digi-Taalhuis is a vehicle that visits your neighborhood to provide training or information. This ensures that all areas within our municipality are reached.