48% of Canadians have literacy skills that are below the necessary threshold. What does that even mean? Literacy is scored on levels. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) tests literacy scores around the world using the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, which is commonly referred to as the PIAAC. The literacy scores on the PIAAC range from level 0 to level 5. Level 1 and below indicate that the reader can re

How one Calgary mother's journey through our ESL Reading and Writing Circles created a ripple of confidence that reached her entire family. Calgary is one of Canada's top destinations for newcomers, home to a vibrant and growing immigrant community. Yet for many who arrive here, or who have lived here for years without access to formal English language support, everyday tasks that most take for granted can feel out of reach: reading a piece of mail, having a conversation wi

Honestly? I wasn't sure about poetry either. April is National Poetry Month, which makes it a good time to ask: when did you last read a poem? If you've ever felt like poetry was somehow not for you — too dense, too obscure, too much like homework — you're in very good company. Many of us leave school with the vague impression that poems are puzzles to be solved, and that we probably don't have the right tools. But here's something worth knowing: poetry is also song lyrics. I

When Duaa first joined a FESA program, she was new to Canada and looking for connection. She attended with her young daughter, hoping to meet other mothers and feel more settled in a place that was still unfamiliar. Like many newcomers, she was finding her way through a new system, a new language, and a different pace of life. The program became part of her routine. It was a place where she could take part, listen, and gradually feel more comfortable being there. Over time, t

30 Years of Family Literacy in Community Every learning journey starts somewhere. Sometimes it begins with a song, a story, or a quiet moment shared between a parent and child. Over time, these moments build confidence, language, and connection. This is where family literacy takes root. This year marks 30 years of learning, connection, and community at the Further Education Society of Alberta. Over that time, families, children, and communities have come together to build ski

Programs for women at Calgary Young Offenders Centre and Adult Female Annex Story by FESA Facilitators Del, Dustin and Russell Our work with the prison system began at the Men’s Remand Centre in Calgary, where we were part of a life skills program that helped participants prepare for release. Since then, we’ve expanded to the Women’s Remand Centre, where we’ve been facilitating programs since 2023. We work from a simple belief: everyone deserves a second chance. Each week, we