Formed in 1978 by concerned groups and individuals to support and promote adult literacy in the region, MTML is a network of people and ideas concerned about adult literacy. As the regional network, we link over 200 individual and organizational members from across the City of Toronto and York regions. Our work is focused on the following functions:

Public Education

Whether responding to questions about adult literacy from the media, participating in public events, or researching and distributing information on changes in the educational system, MTML is dedicated to raising public awareness on adult literacy issues. Raising awareness fosters the promotion of action of adult literacy, improving adults' access to good literacy services.
MTML: A literacy network, big and small. Although much of our work is spent behind the scenes, working to support front-line literacy programs, we also work to raise the public profile of literacy as a social cause. Through various partnerships with the City of Toronto, the Toronto Public Library, and The Word On The Street, we are working to educate the public and create awareness about the importance of adult basic literacy for our communities. Our Get Back Into Learning Campaign involved all of the literacy programs across Toronto and York Region coming together to develop a poster that has been distributed to social service agencies and municipal furniture across the region. The call to action is our Literacy Access Network telephone hotline.

Information and Referral

Through our Literacy Access Network, Toronto's only literacy referral hotline, MTML is dedicated to providing accurate information to allow callers to make informed decisions about their adult literacy choices. This commitment to quality referral is a first step to ensuring that callers find access to lifelong learning opportunities.

416-961-5557 Literacy Access Network Telephone Referral Hotline
In our information-based society, getting an actual person on the phone seems to be getting more and more difficult. But for people who have difficulty with the written word/world, this is often their preferred means for gathering information. That is why we are committed to ensuring that each caller speaks to a real person who will provide informed and sensitive referrals. Literacy learners, their families, social service intermediaries, and volunteers can call LAN to find out about literacy programs in their area.

www.mtml.ca/lan.htm Literacy Access Network Online Referral Database and Maps The online Literacy Access Network maps the adult basic education landscape of Toronto and York Region. Replacing our printed version, this online resource provides an easy-to-use guide that is just a mouse click away. Intended for literacy workers, educators, and social service intermediaries, the online referral database provides detailed, up-to-date information on all the literacy and upgrading programs in Toronto and York Region. We also provide information on English as a Second Language programs, Employment Resource Centres, Family Literacy programs, and Computer Access and Training.

Professional Development

By responding to the needs of members, MTML strives to deliver relevant professional development to people interested in adult literacy. Workshops, seminars, forums, and other materials are developed and presented by MTML and its members. MTML works to provide professional development that will help in the delivery of good literacy programming in our region. Presently, professional development is being coordinated through two professional development working groups, comprised of literacy workers from agencies in Toronto and York Region.

Community Planning

The MTML community planning process brings literacy providers from across Toronto and York Region together in local literacy committees. These committees work together to coordinate services, and achieve common standards on assessment and practice so that the needs of literacy learners are properly addressed. A top priority for the committees is to ensure that people with literacy needs have access to the kinds of literacy programs they need. Each year, with the participation of all the literacy programs in Toronto and York Region, MTML completes the Literacy Services Plan. This process provides an environmental scan of literacy services across along with a detailed report of literacy programming to the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. With profiles and statistics from each literacy program, this document informs solutions to the literacy problem in Toronto and York Region. Visit the resources page to view the public version of the MTML Literacy Services Plan.

Research & Development

MTML is involved in adult literacy research projects, and stays current on projects in other regions, in order to continue the development of the literacy field. Receiving input from people interested in literacy and informing them of the findings, builds a path for new, innovative ways to deliver services. MTML has been involved in a number of research projects, visit our resources page to read more.

Membership Communications

MTML stays in touch with its membership through monthly newsletters and information sessions, as well as through the day-to-day workings of the organization. Information on the literacy movement in our region and elsewhere is collected and distributed, helping to insure an informed literacy community. Our monthly newsletter is delivered in hard copy, on-line, and email, the newsletter provides information on items of interest to literacy workers and learners. From social service announcements and new teaching resources, to research updates and policy developments. Community information is also delivered between issues via email to literacy agencies across the region. Visit the newsletter archive at www.mtml.ca.