Please I'm 30yrs old and I am illiterate...what should it do???

Question

Hi everyone i need your help. i can read but i can't write. I can't communicate with my family via e-mail because i cannot write. I turned down a supervisor position because i cannot write. I can't even defend myself in the office because i have fear of my grammar prooblem.

I did mention earlier that i can read ,but rearly ever i just flip through the magazines at Barnes and Nobles and read the front cover of books . I bye the Sunday NYtimes only for the help wanted. Guys can you please help me. I want to enyoy writing . Adult illiteracyis very painful. One day i would love to just write e-mail memos with no fear .maybe even a book. please help. Please excuse all the grammar errors in this long question .

Answer 1

There is adult training available. Don't feel ashamed.

Answer 2

I do not think it is an issue of being illiterate. Either you had someone type the question for you and the will read the answers, or the real problem is you do not feel that you articulate your meaning and feelings well enough.

An articulation problem can be as frustrating as being illiterate, but is easier to solve. There are two parts to the problem; (1) finding the appropriate words that describe the situation to your satisfaction and (2) putting them together in a grammatically correct manner so that others will understand.

The second part is the easiest. Although the rules of English can be quite convoluted, try keying your thoughts into a word processor. Turn on Spell/Grammar check. The software will show you suggested changes. It's a little like Yoda from Star Wars. He used basically simple English, but inverted a lot of the syntax and grammar so it sounded strange. You could understand his meaning, but it was not presented in the manner you expected.

The first part is the hardest of the two. This involves increasing your vocabulary. There was a study by one of the colleges that determine a person born in 1950 has a vocabulary of about 50,000 words. Those born after 1980 only have about 15,000 words in their vocabulary. The technological advent of graphics has killed the use of words.
The best suggestion I can make here is READ. Read a lot. Read while waiting in line anyplace. From a vocabulary standpoint, it does not matter so much what you read as that you do READ. The more you read the more you are exposed to the way other authors express their ideas. This could be a romance novel, mystery story, magazine, or even a technical manual. By becoming aware of the various ways authors express their ideas, you will learn the various allegorical and other ways of expressing yourself that will help in getting your point across.

Bottom line short-answer to your question, it takes a lot of work. The better you get, the better you will want to be.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

What do you mean "I can read but I can't write"... did someone else help you with writing this question?.. (no, not trying to be rude, just trying to clarify.......)

A couple ideas-
Night classes at the local university or vocational school- take an English or Writing class

Most libraries have adult literacy programs...

My biggest suggestion would be to PRACTICE. Use your computer, use the spell-check, grammar check (if you've got it).

Or-
Write something- a short story, or imagine you're a speach-writer for someone famous and write a "speach" for them, or a research paper on some subject you're interested in. Then read it outloud (you'll probably feel more comfortable doing this when you're alone). If something sounds ackward or the wording doesn't flow smoothly, try re-wording it till it sounds smoother, more comfortable.

Another idea--
Find a mentor (hopefully someone who will be compassionate about your situation), someone who's speach/grammar you admire, let them know that you want to improve yourself, and that they seem strong in this one area that you feel weak ...

Best of luck- You've made a very important step- the first one!

Answer 5

Grammar errors?

3
A whole 3.
Who ever told you that you can't write?
Are you implying that someone else wrote/typed the above?
If not, you are using more proper grammar than some teachers that I have come across.

It appears to me that you may need some self confidence. Stop running yourself down.
If you just read some of the posts here, excluding foreign writers, you may discover what bad grammar really is.
Don't be so hard on yourself.

Just an old guy.

Answer 6

Your writing is fine. You are not illiterate. You have some errors. I would start by reading an easy newspaper and then harder things. You need to be careful when you write, if you know you make mistakes, then you need to really watch- you can take it easy once you get better. Try watching PBS they have literacy, ESL, and GED programs, and I bet GED level is what you want. Try reading books in something you like - romance or sci fi - it doesnt have to be anything special, and also try keeping a diary for private writing practice. You can also take a community college class, try asking at your local libarary - they tend to have classes as well - or the YMCA/ YWCA. It is something that is really hard to learn (think of all those years people go to school), and you are not alone. People will respect you for learning.

Answer 7

Save for a few errors you writing is fine... Think of all the immigrants who come to this country and learn to read and write from scratch when they are in their fifties! You can learn, you can definitely learn, mainly by starting to READ. Read, then write what you've read. Have someone dictate to you and write. Don't be embarrassed because you make mistakes. The embarrassing thing is to be illiterate AND not do anything about it. Again, start by READING as much as you can. Good luck!!

Answer 8

Well To Me U Spelled All The Words Rite And Just Get Tutor And Read Books And Write Words On Paper It's Easy Acutally! Yeah

Answer 9

You can't be afraid to go back to school, try college. it will really help. Many people go back to school for various reasons but, if you hide in the dark, you'll get nowhere, bring it in the open. And deal with it. Find someone who can help, and if they can't accept you, they're not worth the time. Just do it, work hard to be literate. You don't have to be embarrassed, you can do it! p.s. - there were hardly any errors in your writing, I understood perfectly. You have the potential.

Answer 10

Hi there,
i know how you feel as I'm on the same boat. my reading is a hell of a lot better than my grammar and spelling. My job includes a lot of writing and on a daily bases i find it difficult, but i never let it get to me. Spell check is a great help for spelling but that is about it. there is a lot of courses you can do through Tafe of reading help lines.
here is one.
Reading Writing Hot line
68 South St Granville 2142
PH: 1300 655 506

what do i find best foe myself is i try and read a lot of what ever my hobby is. i love cars and motorbikes, so i go and grab a couple of mags and read them. take notice on how the editors do there grammar is usually proper.
I hope i could help.
Good Luck

Answer 11

You must not be illiterate because you can write as least as well as most of the posters I see on here. Maybe they are the ones who are illiterate...

I see it that people who write on these pages seldom use the proper punctuation. Spelling seems to present problems for them, as well. I know that most of you don't want to take the time to spell and punctuate and capitalize according to the rules of grammar, but it really looks bad and makes you look stupid if you don't. If you want to look like you wasted twelve years in school, that's your business but I, for one, will endeavor to write like I learned something in school.