The Central Institute of Indian Languages was set up on the 17th July, 1969 with a view to assisting and coordinating the development of Indian languages. The Institute was charged with the responsibility of serving as a nucleus to bring together all the research and literary output from the various linguistic streams to a common head and narrowing the gap between basic research and developmental research in the fields of languages and linguistics in India.

The Institute and its four Regional Language Centres are thus engaged in research and teaching which lead to the publication of a wide-ranging variety of materials, Preparation of materials designed for teaching/learning at different levels and suited to specific needs is one of the major areas of interest of the Institute. Basic research relating to the acquisition of language and study of language in its manifold psycho-social relations constitute another broad range of its interest. The publication will include materials produced by the members of the staff of the Central Institute of Indian Languages and its Regional Language Centres and associated scholars from universities and institutions, both Indian and foreign.

Literature for Neoliterates is a practical handbook borne out of the life long experience of the author in adult education work. We have few handbooks to compare this. Considering the importance of adult education in India, it is necessary and important that many such handbooks are brought out presenting different approaches and points of view towards literature for the neo-literates, While much has been said about the structural aspects of language and functional aspects of literacy, very little research has been done in areas such as the relationship between oral and written modes, interest of readers and read ability of the material. It is important that attention is given to some of these aspects.

We are thankful to Sri Nagappa for giving us the manuscript. We hope that it will guide and stimulate adult education practitioners all over the country and even abroad.

Literature for neoliterates is a new field. It has emerged consequent upon the eradication of illiteracy among adults in all the developing countries, India has taken up the National Adult Education Prostamme (NAEP) in 1978, Naturally the follow-up literature to retain and sustain literacy is the prime need of the hour. This book may be of help to those who are interested in the Preparation of such literature.

I am grateful to Dr. D. P. Pattanayak, Director of the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, for the inspiration and constant "A encouragement in preparing this work and for the kind of patronage extended to me by way of publishing this book, My thanks are due to Dr. s. Nagappa, Deputy Educational Adviser to the Government of India, Ministry of Education and Culture; to Dr. G. Sambasiva Rao, Centra] Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore and to Shri Marcel C. Eros of St. Joseph’s College of Education, Mysore, for having looked into the Manuscript and offering useful suggestions, My thanks are also due to Shri T. V. Srinivasa Rao, Ex-president of the Karnataka State Adult Education Council, Mysore; Shri M. K. Ashwathanarayana Swamy, DSERT, Bangalore; Prof. Jeanne S. Chall, Professor of Education and Director, Reading Laboratory, ‘Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., USA, for permitting me to use the relevant materials, I am also thankful to Dr. Francis Ekka, Deputy Director, CHIL and Shri H. L. N. Bharati, Publications-in-Charge, CIIL, for supervising the production of this book in a short period.

**Contents and Sample Pages**