Common definitions of the term illiteracy are:

• Primary illiteracy, when people have no reading and writing skills at all (e.g. due to lack of school attendance)
• Secondary illiteracy, when knowledge once acquired has been forgotten again despite attending school
• functional illiteracy, when reading and writing skills are not sufficient to "function" in a writing-oriented society
• However, people who have been literate in their mother tongue and only do not know the Latin alphabet are not illiterate

In a literacy course, participants learn to read and write using the Latin alphabet, which is also a prerequisite for attending German courses, for independence, integration, mastering everyday life and finding a job.

In terms of additional qualifications for teachers in literacy courses, the following options are available:

• Certificate courses in literacy
• University of Applied Sciences: CAS Literacy in German as a Second Language (UAS)
• Degree Association: Specialized didactics: DaF-DaZ, literacy and grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation

"From A to Z - literacy course for adults" is an exercise book. The course book with 2 audio CDs combines the teaching of German as a second language with literacy. With heterogeneous previous knowledge, the CDs in conjunction with the exercise book offer material for approx. 600 hours and lead to level A1.

In a literacy course, participants who have little or no previous knowledge of the Latin alphabet learn the basics of writing, reading, listening and speaking in German.

In literacy courses you learn:

• learning the Latin alphabet
• the development and expansion of basic vocabulary
• Promotion of phonological awareness
• Acquisition of the language skills of reading and writing
• Teaching simple communication skills for everyday life
• Teaching learning techniques
• Promotion of independent learning

Literacy courses are primarily aimed at people (young people and adults) who - e.g. due to immigration - have not yet mastered the Latin alphabet or do not know it and would like to learn to read and write.

An online literacy course works well, although many participants do not have a laptop or tablet PC at their disposal. Most of them have a smartphone. But with a platform that is optimized for learning with smartphones, it's easy these days. What is important is the support from the teachers, who follow the learning activities of the participants in the online course, select suitable exercises, stay in contact with the individual learners and motivate them to continue learning by praising them.