Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies Numeracy Skills and Home Use among Post-Traditional Adult English Learners

Research on adult English learners (ELs) typically focuses on language-related skills. However, adult ELs may also need instruction in numeracy to navigate daily life or understand health information. Little is known about how ELs use numeracy skills in their home lives and connections of skill use with related electronic numeracy skills. This paper's purpose is to examine numeracy skill levels and skill use at home of post-traditional adult ELs. Employing PIAAC:2012/2014 data, the paper begins with identifying post-traditional adult ELs' numeracy skill levels. The relationship of skill level with skill use is then analyzed to determine how six discrete groups of ELs at various skill levels employ numeracy skills. The paper concludes with implications for practice engagement, health, and instruction.