The Americans who can't read - BBC News
Рет қаралды 382,741
6 жыл бұрынThe US has more citizens who are illiterate - some 16 million people - than many of its developed counterparts. Why is that?
Many complain that the system fails those who need extra help and there is a big disparity between rich and poor areas.
Being illiterate prevents people from getting jobs. But it is not only that.
Peggy Fleming, who lives in Kentucky, one of the worst-performing states, said she wanted to set an example for her children by being able to read and write. "I wanted to be a better mum," she says.
Aleem Maqbool reports for the BBC's America First? series.
Video by Franz Strasser; produced by Ashley Semler
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@wannabepolymathofesoterica6812 6 жыл бұрын
hold up, 8.1%???? I've never even met an adult who can't read in my life
@TheDanielFisher91 6 жыл бұрын
OnesAndZeros same
@TheMastergabe 6 жыл бұрын
No 1/15 people youve met have been illiterate. Its actually hard to notice
@wannabepolymathofesoterica6812 6 жыл бұрын
I don't think they're just talking about actual illiteracy, they must be including people who are just really shit at reading, like stuck at an elementary school level. If you literally can't read you can't drive or get a real job
@victoriah9421 6 жыл бұрын
How do you know? They'll do their best to hide it out of shame.
@mathieumaloney4513 6 жыл бұрын
OnesAndZeros maybe they meant 8.1% in Kentucky??
@primaverala1524 4 жыл бұрын
I can not imagine not being able to read. That sounds so scary, like you’re in a foreign country for your entire life. Man, atleast they’re making the effort to read as an adult instead of thinking they can’t learn now.
@hardthinking 3 жыл бұрын
I imagine it's even more isolating than being in a foreign country. Even in a foreign country you can read about the country in your native language.
@ErikaCM 6 жыл бұрын
Being illiterate really does effect every part your life. I️t makes me so sad that we don’t invest more money in education :( I️t shouldn’t matter how much money your family has, everyone should be entitled to the same education.
@108nighthawk 6 жыл бұрын
Daaraofthegesert Incorrect. First of all, an education doesn't cost anything. Go to a library and read. Second, if I want to give my child an advantage I am going to give them a better, more comprehensive education. And that is the beauty of Capitalism.
@disneyprincessintraining2725 6 жыл бұрын
I get what you’re saying, but nobody is entitled to education, especially if they can’t pay for it. I’m working on starting nonprofit private schools in underprivileged areas. If you want change, do it yourself, don’t beg the government to illegally use funds for it:
@nobody1575 6 жыл бұрын
Education is not a right. Its a privilege.
@blah7983 6 жыл бұрын
In America everyone can go to school, however parents don’t have to give their child an education if they need them to work (which is bad), and in rural areas schools have really bad special ed programs. Urban poor usually still learn basic skills but rural poor often end up like this.
@IronMan-fv2nl 6 жыл бұрын
Entitled to the same education no, but entitled to good education, yes. Wealthy people should get better education because they can afford it
@lenstacy1781 6 жыл бұрын
I am so proud of those adults who are learning to read. I grew up with two parents who were similar to this. It's difficult for the child but I understand when I got older what they went through and learned it was so hard on them too. Instead of shaming and making fun of people, we should learn to encourage and help those in these situations. These people have my respect.
@user-dz8pg5sw6s 6 жыл бұрын
Len Stacy haha lol adults cant read what a joke
@princessfluffybottom1933 6 жыл бұрын
Antonio Valeri Pimonov The only joke is you. Seriously, where's the humor in laughing at someone who has less than you? That is no different than laughing at someone for being homeless, or having a disease. You are disgusting.
@teeoh4981 6 жыл бұрын
Princess Fluffybottom ok you see, if you're an adult and if you cant read, thats a problem, and that should be laughed at. He wont try to learn to read if something doesnt point that out.
@princessfluffybottom1933 6 жыл бұрын
LhorNe Gaming No it's not a problem. You're judging someones intellegence by their ability to read. In the past most most European's didn't even know how to read or write. They had scribes do all that work for them. I say europeans bacause you act like reading is a "human" thing. When you need to realise not *everybody* reads the same, or at all. Not everyone has access to education like most first world countries. Reading is a *man made* invention. You might as well laugh at someone because they don't know how to use a toilet. Or because they were born retarded. Where is your logic? You act as if someone who can not read is stupid. The real stupid one is the person whom is judging. You can't judge someone's intellegence by *one* aspect of their life. That is like me calling Albert Einstein stupid because he didn't know how to swim or drive a car. Regardless of the fact he is talented at mathematics. The only stupid one's are those whom are close-minded. An open minded person will learn how to read when he wants to, or gets the opportunity to do so. As he will many other topics. A close minded person learn's because he *has* to.
@teeoh4981 6 жыл бұрын
Princess Fluffybottom well the Europeans went to war all the time. War was often and those were different times. Now everybody should know how to read. They should know because there even signs everywhere with WORDS! and yes, i will laugh at someone who doesnt know how to use the toilet.
@moonstonestiitsia2997 6 жыл бұрын
I hope they will learn to read in the future.
@dicswet 6 жыл бұрын
Moonstone Stiinsonio no
@dominicthedefiant3210 6 жыл бұрын
That's probably the nicest thing anyone's said in this comment section
@theveganfanboy7652 6 жыл бұрын
Thank you! By the way, I'm using my brother's phone which is why the profile is different.
@dominicthedefiant3210 6 жыл бұрын
Welcome :). Good to see some compassion on KZfaq once in awhile.
@theveganfanboy7652 6 жыл бұрын
Nevermind
@marvantony9655 6 жыл бұрын
I'm not surprised. Things like this shows you that America isn't perfect.
@debbiecosgrove9421 6 жыл бұрын
You believe it ? With no studies or science cited ? Based entirely on the ravings of a London Arab Muslim working for the BBC ? ..Wow .you're extremely easily led ..most people would require some proof lol
@marvantony9655 6 жыл бұрын
+Debbie Cosgrove I don't only watch bbc I watch cnn too. I've seen parts of america that have been ignored factories close down people out of work and struggling to make ends meet. Soooooo ya america has problem just like any other country. And that's one of the reasons one of the reasons why trump won.
@viccaoxy9035 6 жыл бұрын
Yes, you're right
@tara303 6 жыл бұрын
Marv anthony I'm only 17 and I'm ashamed to be American
@livieegee 6 жыл бұрын
As a US citizen i can assure you theres a big list of things wrong with America lol
@bahamakazi 6 жыл бұрын
I hate reading out in English class, the amount of students who can’t read or speak amazes me and it’s sad
@theinternetisnotarealplace4133 4 жыл бұрын
I mean you can help them if they make the effort to improve ate show that they want the help well if your not busy our just dont care to help
@amenenema474 Жыл бұрын
@@theinternetisnotarealplace4133yes let's put the onus on other students to find the time between school, social life, extra curriculars, homework to teach their classmates to read. That's a great solution lol
@omarxism2 6 жыл бұрын
I came here for a quick laugh but what I saw absolutely broke my heart and made me be grateful for my education. I hope the US can direct some of the money it spends on defence on public education.
@4g63powerhouse7 6 жыл бұрын
omarxism2 it's a political hit piece on MR TRUMPS USA
@amerob291 6 жыл бұрын
You make me Cringe. Its not the federal government job to fund education. Its the state level.
@thenoicemango1827 6 жыл бұрын
I can't blame the lady I guess her parents didn't teach her how to read.
@kf5467 6 жыл бұрын
omarxism2 lol what country u from the one america saved or the one we send billions too ppl like you make me not want to help forigners you feel better hating other ppl ur the problem
@4g63powerhouse7 6 жыл бұрын
J Jay it's time for your pills again friend.
@walmantristianto2404 4 жыл бұрын
If you see an adult who cant read, Help them! They have been through hard times, They have to abandon education to Afford for Food! They are strong people! They just need a helper, and teacher.
@jamesgreer5728 6 жыл бұрын
How is it possible for people to be required to go to school in the US up to a certain point but there are still adults that can't read. This is sad and needs to be fixed
@KentPetersonmoney 11 сағат бұрын
Kids that can't read end up in special ed.
@isabel7428 6 жыл бұрын
They don’t tend to smart kids needs either. They teach everyone the same things, dragging the kids who are ahead down and sometimes ignoring the people who are getting left behind. It’s really messed up
@GhostSamaritan 3 жыл бұрын
Being "bright" early on is really bad because once you get to university you need to learn strategies for learning that others have worked on all their lives.
@frasertv4126 3 жыл бұрын
i agree
@celestialorb1680 3 жыл бұрын
America is a joke
@eliseweusthuis 6 жыл бұрын
I just don’t understand how anyone can get through elementary school without learning to read? Surely you would be held back of all your classmates were reading books but you were still unable to read a word?
@tempejkl 3 ай бұрын
If you are too far behind - they just leave you behind. I was in mathematics, i believe i may be functionally innumerate. Although i was by far the smartest in my school when it came to reading (it was a mandatory test for all of us. i had the highest possible score that only like the top 0.1% can achieve, so while i may be incredibly handicapped when it comes to mathematics atleast i can be proud of something
@rogerfederer1233 Жыл бұрын
Reading is one of the greatest joys in my life. It helped me escape poverty through economic advancement. But it helped me escape the horrors of growing up in a project building too. This is heartbreaking.
@Amitdas-gk2it 6 жыл бұрын
I m indian my father was illiterate and my mother studies only upto high school but I m the first member of my family to attend the clg this july and they were very happy
@Amitdas-gk2it 6 жыл бұрын
Commander Iden Versio thank u mate
@Amitdas-gk2it 6 жыл бұрын
TheWoldIsFullofSheep EducateYourselfDontBeOne yeah and u have to pay per semester.
@Amitdas-gk2it 6 жыл бұрын
TheWoldIsFullofSheep EducateYourselfDontBeOne u r right but I don't have resources neither my parents
@fyybbbb5012 6 жыл бұрын
good job(not trying to be rude)
@Amitdas-gk2it 6 жыл бұрын
AgentOfHydra it's ok and thank you
@LexitaMai 6 жыл бұрын
This is a relatively common problem among children raised in the foster system. I didn't enter the foster system until I was 7, so thankfully I already knew the basics and could help my then 4 year old brother learn, but the kids who entered the system by themselves at any age before 5 would find themselves completely lost in school. they just moved around too much to be able to keep up with all of the different lessons. I remember several of my older foster siblings, ages anywhere from 10-15ish, asking me for help with their school work even though I was much younger than them. I'd have to try and read at a high school level, even though I was only 7. it was difficult for both of us, but I can only assume they went on to live an incredibly hard life. Almost everything in America evolves around literacy, from Street signs to filling out a job application.
@truasheim6577 6 жыл бұрын
I'm not American and I've met my fair share of adults who struggle with literacy. This is a world wide problem and it's not just confined to one country.
@tokahontas9990 6 жыл бұрын
Claire Truasheim it’s not even a problem here lmao I’ve literally never met one person that can’t read and haven’t heard of anyone that my friends know. Yes we do have people like that but it’s such a small amount of people
@kylem1112 6 жыл бұрын
i'm american and i have never met an adult or even a child over the age of 7 years old who cant read this whole story is bullshit.
@wren1682 6 жыл бұрын
kylem1112 Well I don't think when you meet someone, they'd automatically announce whether they can read or not. You've definitely met at least one person who can't read, but you just didn't know it.
@kylem1112 6 жыл бұрын
no... i'm pretty sure i haven't the only place i can imagine that happening is in the very rural, extremely poor parts of appilacian kentucky/west virginia, and the missisipi river delta. i don't live in those places
@frostywing8941 4 жыл бұрын
@@kylem1112 People don't go around announcing their horrible schizophrenia for fear of being shamed. What makes it different between illiterate people? Yes, I am painfully aware that you commented this a year ago. Ignorance just makes me angry.
@RainyVisions 3 жыл бұрын
I'm special needs and the more I get older the more I know how to do things
@itsAurora-zq8cb 2 жыл бұрын
God bless u ❤
@SapphireX413 6 жыл бұрын
I read to my 9 month old son every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. I like to read both baby books and chapter books for him so he's exposed to wide varieties of words and sentence structures of varying difficulties. My mom read to me often and it paid off so I'm trying to do the same. It's common sense!
@StreetPeter 6 жыл бұрын
You should read Mein kampf to your son.
@jackdets7450 6 жыл бұрын
You're not funny.
@StreetPeter 6 жыл бұрын
I'm not trying to be funny. It will teach him to be a great leader.
@user-xm6cl4jz5o 6 жыл бұрын
I am not illiterate, I can read silently with my mind, but it's when I read aloud that I stutter. It's the sound of my own voice that makes me lose concentration on the words I am reading. I can read aloud fluently when I have earphones and am blasting music. I'm not sure, it's just hearing my voice projecting really distracts me. Weird... Also when/if I have children I would read to them too. My parents did not speak English and they never read to me. I grew up struggling to read, making me despise reading. Absolutely hated reading because kids would giggle or stare in class when I stuttered... Don't want my kids to go through that. I'm an adult and still practice reading out loud.
@counterkidnapping1737 6 жыл бұрын
Bunny same Im not american but i try so hard to to learn and read english
@JosefaVlogs 6 жыл бұрын
The funny part is that they can't read our comments lol
@SkyscraperM 6 жыл бұрын
Mayor Three Doge idiot
@Miquelalalaa 6 жыл бұрын
Josefa Vlogs I think it’s quite sad
@g_thbaa4909 6 жыл бұрын
That’s really note funny this comment is just ignorant
@Tanman256 6 жыл бұрын
I usually find everything funny. Not this.
@user-jq5pr2vy4s 6 жыл бұрын
What the fuck. Fuckoff you immigrant old hag
@rlh1984 6 жыл бұрын
It's weird how well-spoken they are considering they're illiterate.
@coolcool9634 6 жыл бұрын
Never knew illiteracy was about talking. Oh wait it isn't. It's about being able to read.
@shmoobalizer 6 жыл бұрын
Reginald Mizer your misinformed
@CraftyZanTub 6 жыл бұрын
Illiterate doesn't mean stupid. Many of these people adapted means to hide the fact they can't read. To adapt calls for intelligence. To function in life without the ability to read calls for EXTREME intellegence.
@elfoxy1997 6 жыл бұрын
Sandy Rene' EXTREME ILLITERACY 😎
@CraftyZanTub 6 жыл бұрын
A pain condition makes it difficult to type.
@maura_the_rose 6 жыл бұрын
It's because we focus more on our test scores than actually educating people!!
@nadinehurley 6 жыл бұрын
Nothing like a bunch of pretentious and incredibly rude people making fun of the people in the video. Just admit that you’d rather see Americans failing than care about solutions to their problems. This is really really sad and the fact that our educational system hasn’t changed in decades despite its obvious flaws is awful.
@DarthFurie 6 жыл бұрын
My grandma had to stop going to school in the 2nd grade, she is one of the wisest people I've ever met but she can barely read. When I was a little kid she used to have me read things for her all the time 😞
@gemgirl223 6 жыл бұрын
This is sad. Our educational system is one-way where once you don't meet quota like your peers you're thrown out. I, unlike others in these illiterate states, was given extra help in elementary school in reading. we had our own little reading group and everything. Met once a day. It was nice. Later, I was tested again and passed with my classmates into the next level. Now I'm in multiple AP classes wondering which major I should do in college. People like me need the little bit of help to become successful and the fact that they are not providing it sickens me.
@osoczy 4 жыл бұрын
This actually makes me sad I'm a grown ass man crying
@rainbowkitten8990 2 жыл бұрын
@One Guy Named Ivan You are apart of the problem. Dyslexia is a spectrum, people have it worse than others. I too have Dyslexia, but mine concerns my ability to remember facts rather than reading and writing. Some people have such a hard time with reading and or writing and don't know what else to do.
@rainbowkitten8990 2 жыл бұрын
@One Guy Named Ivan You could also say why are there people in poverty in the United States if it is the richest country in the world.
@mtcondie 6 жыл бұрын
Next on BBC News - 'Americans who can't ride bikes'
@mtcondie 6 жыл бұрын
Well, I hope you know how to swim... Lol. I have known a few people (adults) who did not know how to ride a bike and who also did not know how to swim. I think they must not have had very good parents...
@lilaccherri7584 6 жыл бұрын
mtcondie I know how to scooter, does that count?
@Windfarmer 6 жыл бұрын
I'm sorry, your body requires manual labor to move (I don't know how to ride a bike either though)
@nofunatall4094 6 жыл бұрын
I cant
@mtcondie 6 жыл бұрын
Well, not being able to ride a bike sounds like NoFunAtAll...
@ariannasilva4462 6 жыл бұрын
Most of these people were from a decade in which they can get jobs without reading.
@KentPetersonmoney 11 сағат бұрын
Yeah 100 years ago you could get by easier without reading. Native Americans didn't have a written lanague but they were still able to build things without knowing how to read.
@Liuhuayue 3 жыл бұрын
Future generations will probably have less illiteracy due to the rampant use of social media, which often involves texting.
@Roger__Wilco 2 жыл бұрын
On the other hand though a good proportion of that texting contains emojis rather than text :D
@matthew_natividad 3 ай бұрын
Tru I guess
@lisiasty688 Ай бұрын
I've got more literacy, due to social media. My friends learned even more languages lol
@squiggyflop 3 жыл бұрын
My uncle Tom can't read but he still managed to serve his country and live a decent life. Dyslexic people are often very intelligent and can adapt. I am dyslexic myself and it has been a long struggle. I somehow made it to college but it took me 4 years for a 2 year degree.
@RegularInvader 4 жыл бұрын
This segment reminded me of a classmate from my 3rd grade class who didn't know how to read and hardly paid attention in class for the most part. It's hard to say if she ever got the help she needed because she ended up transferring somewhere else in the middle of the year. Her parents were probably workaholics and didn't have time to help her with homework. They most likely got a job transfer at the time she transferred schools.😔
@frogextract4310 6 жыл бұрын
My grandpa was homeless and never wanted to live with us due to feeling like he would weigh us down and he couldn't read so he would struggle so much. He lived in his late moms house 4 states away and would struggle because he couldn't read. My grandpa passed away in 2014 due to a hit and run. I felt so guilty that he couldn't with us and have a better life. Every night I wish that he could have lived with us and he could learn how to read and write so that way he could feel better about himself.
@user-ok8yq6nc6x 6 жыл бұрын
8%? Where did they get those statistics from?
@ThomasBob 6 жыл бұрын
J R From their asscracks
@beckstyles3467 6 жыл бұрын
from thomas' house
@evanwheeler634 6 жыл бұрын
That 16 million stat seems suspect as hell. Where did they pull that from?
@shergirl92 3 жыл бұрын
Not completely illiterate its like do they a vast vocabulary can they follow an argument can they write effectively
@inferno3644 4 жыл бұрын
I work as a janitor and 99% of Americans can’t read wet floor sign
@john.do9231 6 жыл бұрын
Who’s ever had their parents say ‘ you must memorise the dictionary’. Cos I have😅😅
@lion2535 5 жыл бұрын
You can do it guys!! Practice makes perfect 👌
@amohammed5 4 жыл бұрын
This is shocking,but true. This country should not just pass people along. Give them the fundamentals and be patient with these people.
@meredithgordon5447 6 жыл бұрын
I remember coming from a private school where we were very behind on math and when I switched over to a public school they didn't even bother to test what I knew- so I was placed in resources or special education. I remember having friends doing their homework and looking down and seeing that I had been given 2nd grade math homework while they were doing algebra. Honestly it's terrible that there's no effort placed in those needing extra help, even a minor correction makes all the difference.
@Jefff72 6 жыл бұрын
I had issues with reading when I was a kid too. Thankfully being from Minnesota, they had the resources to give me one on one help. I didn't come from the rich side of town but the blue collar side of the Twin Cities. Now I am an Air Force vet and college grad.
@aquarius-lp7ty 5 жыл бұрын
The illiterate problem stems from entitlement mind set... unfortunately Americans have that issues... if you grew up poor ... you have to struggle how to at least read and write...
@fastestbasket4327 6 жыл бұрын
“Just spend all the money on defence”
@shaina_2211 6 жыл бұрын
I would like to add that for educational purposes the term "illiterate" or "functionally illiterate" is often used to describe those who read below a 5th grade level. That's likely why the statistic is so high. Are there people who can't read at all? Of course. I've met about 6 people from my rural community that can't read at all, but those people are often older adults.
@mbatista5891 5 жыл бұрын
Where can I watch the rest of this news story?
@_Orphic_ 4 жыл бұрын
16 million people in the states are illiterate.... that’s basically half the population of Canada. It’s sad to hear that 😔
@blitz1049 5 жыл бұрын
I guess it's time to start reading books in my language now because I can read my native language at a second grade level.
@TheArtemis07 6 жыл бұрын
Parents and teachers must work together to help children. And children have to do their part as well. We cannot blame only one group. I tutor an adult learner for two hours each week. When we first started working together, he could not read or write at all. In ten months, he has come such a long way, and I’m really proud of him. Please, if you want to address this problem, look up your local Literacy agency and train to be a tutor. Anyone can do this, and I must say that I have learned as much from my learner as he has learned from me. Also, I have made a friend for life. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
@6piecechickenmcnuggets23 6 жыл бұрын
The ironic thing is that people who can't read wouldn't be able to read the title.
@abdullahzcookingvlog5864 4 жыл бұрын
May God blessed him❤
@theunwantedcritic 4 жыл бұрын
Kentucky is a Republican state where Mitch McConnell the head of the United States Senate has been in charge for decades. He's also the richest Congressman in the country. The state is highest in the country for a literacy, poverty, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, alcoholism and every other negative metric you could think of. Voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump
@Stephanie56372 4 жыл бұрын
Ernest Walker poor people always vote for the best liar. It’s a punishment for their idiocy
@ChristinaOstil115 6 жыл бұрын
Going to church and reading the bible with other people help me read words out loud.
@skuntanksnuggler3919 6 жыл бұрын
It's interesting to read these comments as an American, to see what everyone thinks. It's refreshing. I agree this is sad, I have a relative who can't read, and it's just because she didn't feel like learning and doesn't ever want to learn. I wish she would.
@Aster_Risk 6 жыл бұрын
I love reading, and this makes me incredibly sad. If I had the opportunity, I would definitely want to be a reading tutor.
@mixedman841 5 жыл бұрын
I've been reading since kindergarten. I can't even imagune what it woud be like to go through life unable to read. What a handicap.
@angelwitnowings5450 6 жыл бұрын
If he illiterate how he rly gonna buy a hat and not know what it say🤔🤔
@LucasFernandez-fk8se 6 жыл бұрын
What the hell? 16 million people can't read in this country???
@dannyburns6982 6 жыл бұрын
I️ understand their problems completely. I️ have horrible dyslexia and I️ was always behind in reading and writing but I️m lucky enough to get the proper help through high school and college.
@alexh7107 6 жыл бұрын
America was never perfect... But we’re striving to be everyday.
@alyicot 6 жыл бұрын
I personally could read 80 wpm in 3rd grade, it is really sad for these people who are illiterate. I think the school system should teach better.
@arandomchannel1101 5 жыл бұрын
halo/cito i could read 150+ wpm in 3rd grade..
@philly_cheese_dog1530 4 жыл бұрын
I read at a high school level in the 1st grade. It really does suck.
@matthewperez555 4 жыл бұрын
I have a associate's and bachelor's degree. I hope to eventually attend graduate school in the near future as well. It shocks me to see people being incapable of reading. To me it seems like such a normal functioning tasks all people should have, but clearly here in America that is not the case.
@Alyssa-uk8um 19 күн бұрын
I was in special ed, it’s basically a small room with a teacher that tells you you’re dumb. It’s usually trauma or something going on at home
@IndianaCentral 6 жыл бұрын
Not all of America sucks, there are many good parts
@CookieSlime-tf8gq 6 жыл бұрын
Bike1997 That Kid ikr all they talk about is the bad stuff that happens there
@charlesford7887 6 жыл бұрын
Like Canada?
@cloroxbleach848 6 жыл бұрын
Bike1997 That Kid thanks
@rodrigoparrapalma7673 5 жыл бұрын
Like the corrupt government?
@cloroxbleach848 5 жыл бұрын
@@rodrigoparrapalma7673 lol
@billiamc1969 6 жыл бұрын
50% of inner city American youth drop out in 9th grade...
@geoffdearth8575 6 жыл бұрын
That along with the disadvantaged whites account for the literacy deficit in the US.
@viridianz 6 жыл бұрын
BeeFriendlyApiary Sources
@4g63powerhouse7 6 жыл бұрын
BeeFriendlyApiary it's all that soo called white privilege .....
@ivy3640 6 жыл бұрын
That is 100% incorrect.
@lilaccherri7584 6 жыл бұрын
BeeFriendlyApiary more like 25% most drop out in 11th do either way, about half do. But the UK has a higher unemployment rate, and illiteracy is still available there.
@msoda8516 6 жыл бұрын
I'm from Nj and our friends moved to Mississippi when their kids started school the classes were years behind. The daughter was in 10th grade and in Mississippi she was getting work that she did in the 8th grade in New Jersey.
@BrunosSquirrel 6 жыл бұрын
The US is so incredibly stupid by not investing in their own people by making sure everyone gets educated to a certain level. This is life changing, it is a basic need I believe.
@kacywatson6314 6 жыл бұрын
It’s called dyslexia It effects Britain as well.
@beninwarrior4579 6 жыл бұрын
Bluetrainer91 FireBlast I am dyslexic, and my reading level is post high school. PS: I'm a junior in highschool!!
@imperator692 4 жыл бұрын
Not necessarily, there are a lot of older folks who cant read because they had to work instead of going to school
@lisiasty688 Ай бұрын
@@imperator692capitalism
@zzly9338 6 жыл бұрын
At least he doesn't think the earth is flat, or at least I hope so
@triggeredcat120 2 жыл бұрын
As a kid, I hated reading. But as an adult, I love it. It opens your world and diversifies it. I feel so bad for those who have struggled with illiteracy. The only times I have met people who were illiterate where individuals from other parts of the world, where reading was not encouraged, especially to women. But in regards to my own backyard of Canada, none. I can understand as to why some are illiterate, since I've struggled with learning disabilities and reading comprehension. So I have reread a question or sentence sometimes to actually understand it fully. That's why I never studied in school either. Ones who have had learning disabilities like me, we get left behind because the school system seems to favour children who don't seem to have any learning problems at all. I was not illiterate growing up, but I didn't enjoy reading.
@VeloriaMyVey 9 ай бұрын
one must find a book that captures them fully. What would you be interested in reading?
@triggeredcat120 9 ай бұрын
@@VeloriaMyVey I enjoy sci-fi or just general fiction. I enjoy reading as an adult now though.
@sheem.2450 6 жыл бұрын
So sad. 💔
@bencosta2340 6 жыл бұрын
In 2012 a study was conducted that stated that one in every five adult within the UK at the time were functionally illiterate. Approximately 8 million people in the UK were illiterate and although that is half of the amount of people in the US that are illiterate it is nearly 12% percent more of the overall population than the US.
@rxss6154 6 жыл бұрын
ben costa but you have to understand what was considered “functionally illiterate”, how many people in the study was there, what classes someone “functionally illiterate” does it mean reading below a year 7 etc? Was disabled and people with learning difficulties included in the study because if so that could push the number up higher.
@rxss6154 6 жыл бұрын
And if you do a bit of digging, that “fact” is only half true, there are misleading things on that report. fullfact.org/news/are-one-five-british-adults-illiterate/
@mr_slidey 5 жыл бұрын
ben costa FACT CHECK BEFORE YOU COMMENT PLEASE :-)
@bluuberries6740 6 жыл бұрын
I've never heard anything smart being said in a southern accent XD
@evanwheeler634 6 жыл бұрын
There is another issue. The UK doesn’t actually have a government conducted study of illiteracy. That’s a really British thing to do to judge the problems for another country with out even assessing their own problems.
@maryshaffer8474 4 жыл бұрын
I wish we would help lower illiteracy rate.
@rats.4561 6 жыл бұрын
"Greatest country in the world..but 32 million of us can't read and write."
@ThomasBob 6 жыл бұрын
It’s not even CLOSE to 32 million.
@rats.4561 6 жыл бұрын
Well then go ahead and give me the "real" statistics then.
@mrockasdf6139 5 жыл бұрын
zombu there's a difference between total illiteracy and functional illiteracy
@minoroka6248 6 жыл бұрын
Americans who are illiterate: 16 million Of 0 - 6 months old 99.9%
@annmitchell4663 6 жыл бұрын
I cant imagine not being able to read..how hard everyday life must be for them,I remember many years ago a British actress called Susan Hampshire, she was very dyslexic (before we knew what dyslexic was) and she had great difficulty reading,she said she would get someone to read her scripts to her, and memorise the whole script so no one would know she couldnt read.
@spooky_accordion7676 6 жыл бұрын
Please show sources to show where you got these statistics. The method, the variables, and the control. Edit: Oh look! No sources at all in the description! So very "surprising", but ofcourse, what could I expect?
@optimusprime9395 6 жыл бұрын
Don't worry...gun and jesus will save them
@VCYT 6 жыл бұрын
except in vegas, texas, Orlando.....
@4g63powerhouse7 6 жыл бұрын
optimus prime lol would you rather a bomb and mo?
@lambertlum1087 6 жыл бұрын
Literacy is required to read a Bible. Protestants are always in favor of literacy and scholarship.
@dust7962 6 жыл бұрын
optimus prime but... how will they read duh bible?
@wowlizzy4039 6 жыл бұрын
L O L
@rainbowpandasays8851 6 жыл бұрын
lol Trump won Kentucky in the presidential race. :)
@gabebrandt4867 6 жыл бұрын
RRRED611 actaully Detroit is in Michigan, where trump won. Chicago would be a better example.
@Andy-km1xp 6 жыл бұрын
A lot of us hate trump in Kentucky believe me
@younghendrix7561 6 жыл бұрын
Rainbow Panda says fuck you I'm in kentucky
@ezekiel_phantom2326 6 жыл бұрын
Kentucky is majority literate mate. Idk wtf your point is
@kylem1112 6 жыл бұрын
so did alot of states moron.
@aproppaknoife5078 3 жыл бұрын
America moment.
@joncastillian8389 6 жыл бұрын
Me when I’m asked to read in class but I’m shy
@cathy-pz2to 6 жыл бұрын
Everyone in the comments section on KZfaq can read so why post this video on here? Is it because you want us to help? A person can not learn without wanting to learn first! These people chose not to do any work towards learning to read until way later in their lives and this is the result. Reality is just that painful!
@kenseitakesi4521 6 жыл бұрын
In USA 16 million cant read but in North Korea everyone can read. Think about that!
@ThomasBob 6 жыл бұрын
Because everyone who can’t read DIES in North Korea.
@kenseitakesi4521 6 жыл бұрын
No they dont.
@mariosimpostor731 5 жыл бұрын
THMOAS BOB LOL!!!
@kaam.. 6 жыл бұрын
I've read "silly Americans" far too many times in this comment section.
@danimaru9714 6 жыл бұрын
ikr
@cloroxbleach848 6 жыл бұрын
Ikkini Chan why do u hate us?
@wrlord 6 жыл бұрын
8.1 percent is a very optimistic estimate. They're talking about people who cannot read at all. Sadly, a significantly higher percentage can't read at an adult level.
@0000di 6 жыл бұрын
My brother knows how to read he's 7
@Sunny-ih7xx 6 жыл бұрын
Enya ! Not impressive, most people can read when they are 7.
@kills26 6 жыл бұрын
Enya ! I could read when i was three and a half, my mum taught me. What do I win ?
@royalbread8614 6 жыл бұрын
I learned how to read when I was 6. Now I’m 11 and I’m 6th grade and I have a 9th grade reading level 😂
@0000di 6 жыл бұрын
Sunny ooo I meant my brother is 7 and he KNEW HOW TO READ BY NOW I said that because I’m unsure what age he knew how to read I could read when I was three tho. That was probably his age too.
@andream8671 6 жыл бұрын
Not impressive. I started reading at age 2.
@dontmindme.imjustafraidofe9327 4 жыл бұрын
I believe school should _only_ teach you things that are essential for the real world.
@leroyjenkins4811 3 жыл бұрын
And what would be essential for the real world exactly? People have very different views on that subject.
@lisiasty688 Ай бұрын
History and poetry isn't essential
@kiwifruitkl 6 жыл бұрын
Japan has the hardest language in the world to learn, with three syllabaries and lots of different pronunciations for the same characters. And it has the lowest illiteracy rate. Way to go, America.
@Lucas-ih7bd 6 жыл бұрын
kiwifruitkl It's doesn't matter how hard a language is to learn if your around it all the time you will learn it if you try.
@joncastillian8389 6 жыл бұрын
Mood when I’m asked to read in class but I’m shy
@brandentheultramangofighter 6 жыл бұрын
This is weird
@4g63powerhouse7 6 жыл бұрын
branden8045 theultramangofighter there paid anti Mr Trumpywumpy protestors
@shopdog831 6 жыл бұрын
migrants
@jessicacole8404 6 жыл бұрын
*Most people in America have very low levels of reading comprehension. Im a highschool drop out, but I probably read better then AT LEAST 85% of people here. I'm deeply greatful that I was forces to read at 3, or I could be semi-literate too. Even though I can read, I have a middle school math level and that's something that haunts me every day. I at least had a chance being home schooled, although i was mostly left to my own devices.* *What does an inner city chil in a failing school that gets bullied all the time do??? How are they to make it in life. What we are doing in the Prussian based education model is not only callous, but inhumane. I hope Sudbury schools will someday be the norm, but for now we're stuck using antiquated methods that do little but establish conformity and obedience.We should be better then this **#Shame*
@royalbread8614 6 жыл бұрын
Alt Centrist Lilly ikr I’m 11 and I learned how to read when I was 6 and now I’m in 6th grade and I have a 9th grade reading level!! Last school year we were doing reading groups where certain groups read the same book and I was the last person to get a group and my teacher called me over, and told me she wasn’t sure what group to put me in because my reading level was so high she thought the books would be too easy 😂
@WardenOfTheGreatSaltLake 6 жыл бұрын
Alt Centrist Lilly "im a highschool drop out" is where i stopped reading
@BoredBricks 4 жыл бұрын
I bet they don’t even know their own names 😂
@veritateseducational217 3 жыл бұрын
What compels you to say that? They understand speech, that’s what humans do. We learn from others by seeing and comprehending. You can’t just see someone read and learn to read. Some people are slower, don’t insult everyone.
@keegang2024 6 жыл бұрын
You can't teach the unwilling, but all the rescorces are there to learn how to read
@ferritrat4239 6 жыл бұрын
This is because of the poor education system with shitty teachers who give up on children and fail them!
@cloroxbleach848 6 жыл бұрын
Ferrit Rat the truth
@cloroxbleach848 6 жыл бұрын
Ferrit Rat the truth
@bradleyparker4035 3 жыл бұрын
Trump supporters
@xprogamer3zgod229 3 жыл бұрын
Who
@shara503 6 жыл бұрын
My son is 6. He's read the Harry Potter series. He began to read at 2 and was reading books at 3. He had an interest in space so we picked up several books on the subject. He is now learning sign language with me. Education starts at home. If it's not accessible to children at a young age, if parents do not try than its harder for a child to gain interest. I feel that is a form of neglect and child abuse. I feel for these people.
@MaoRatto 3 жыл бұрын
I feel now days the school system clearly gives no reason for smarter than average people to read. As for me, I loved to read non-fiction books, but couldn't stand fiction, but school tried to push me into a subject I found was absolutely boring for reading, it sort of turned me away from English, but ironically I love learning difficult languages and find. Fiction is good, but I was never exposed to the proper one. I find myself enjoying manga more than any fiction book back in school.
@zuffin1864 6 жыл бұрын
I didn't know how to read in 1st grade, but it didn't stop me from going to school everyday and learning over that year. I had a good teacher, which a lot of the rural Kentucky areas don't have. The majority of people in Kentucky are literate, and I am one of them.
@zuffin1864 6 жыл бұрын
That 8% number also seems like some bull shit... Where the hell did they get that number from?
@americaninsurgent4403 6 жыл бұрын
Next: Europeans Who Cant Fight
@penguinpanda7479 6 жыл бұрын
American Insurgent French?
@LabRat10101 6 жыл бұрын
American Insurgent Europeans started two world wars. That what happens when the Europeans start to fight. So lets keep it civil?. Or not. Who cares, when they are not in a consentration camp.
@americaninsurgent4403 6 жыл бұрын
Uncle Traveling Matt Lmao just stop man.... Europeans fighting eachother is like watching 2 midgets fight to us over here in America. You making me laugh a lot though
@americaninsurgent4403 6 жыл бұрын
Brother Ares I was talking about actual fighting but you Euro clowns are still running on old glory when you only won anything because you had better weapons. Look what happens when everyone catches up... Fuckin weaklings lol. Couldnt fight then and cant fight now
@James-oo1yq 6 жыл бұрын
American Insurgent an American talking about better weapons....ooo the irony
@SpiralBreeze 6 жыл бұрын
Man I have to get out of this country.
@108nighthawk 6 жыл бұрын
Spiral Breeze Then leave, we won't miss you.
@kf5467 6 жыл бұрын
Spiral Breeze i hope u do too less negative nellys who hate their own country the better the middle east needs teachers go help them bet u dont bet u sit on the couch and watch t.v. and dont do shit
@jacoblepley9966 6 жыл бұрын
Good luck finding a better place
@gray546 6 жыл бұрын
The literacy rate is 97 (roughly) percent. Which means 3 percent (give or take) are illiterate. This isn't as bad as BBC says.
@aname2627 6 жыл бұрын
Spiral Breeze please leave, less Nationalism= a weaker country.
@QueerCripple 6 жыл бұрын
I didn't realize we had such a problem. I *taught myself how to read* when I was 3 years old, so I guess i've just had this elitist (and obviously incorrect) idea that as long as youve gotten through second grade, you can read. I am still completely flummoxed that these individuals reached adulthood without being able to read... how the hell did they get through school?
@GeoffreyBronson 5 жыл бұрын
Imagine blaming others for YOU not being able to read. I mean hell, I wasn't formally taught how to play guitar but I found out how to learn myself.
@lisiasty688 Ай бұрын
the only problem is you need someone to teach you reading. Because you can't read!! How can you understand instructions of how to learn reading if that needs reading? That's one of abilities that cannot be learned alone
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