Preliterate learners have had no contact
with print in their native languages. They come from oral societies, where the
language is not written, has only recently been written, or is being developed.
Non-literate learners have no education
at all and have no access to literacy instruction even though the native language has written form and literacy is available. They may not be literate in their native language because of disrupted schooling
due to war and poverty.
Low-literate learners are from literate
societies and usually have had access to literacy in their native culture, but due to socioeconomic status or educational circumstances, they have not acquired a high
level of literacy in their first language. They may have left school at a young
age for economic or political reasons.
