ABCDEspanol - Latin America

This methodology is built on a game which incorporates the linguistic principles required to master reading and writing, including breaking down words into their components of syllables and letters. It goes beyond these mechanics to motivate interest in continued learning. Illiterate participants develop logic and reasoning skills and learn to value knowledge itself. By working in groups, they develop their emotional intelligence. ABCDEspanol relies on visual images. Participants learn instrumental literacy and the techniques needed to learn to read and write after an average of 120 hrs., in sessions of 2 hrs. a day. Discussion sessions among participants develop emotional literacy as well. Teachers are "animators" and serve to facilitate the games.

Education, children, youth, economic development

International organisations have recognised the problems of education in Latin America and the links between poverty and low levels of literacy. UNESCO contends that infant mortality is greatest in areas where education attainment is the lowest. Improved education is a tool to fight poverty and other social problems in Latin America. This teaching model is based on active participation, rather than passive learning. No blackboard is needed, no lectures, teachers do not dictate courses from centrally produced textbooks. Participants make their own decisions and errors are encouraged as a way to further develop the learning process. "My City School" in Cartagena rewards those who have learned through ABCDEspanol. New readers/writers write their first letter to the local paper. They then receive a free 3-month subscription to this paper an an incentive to continue reading and learning.