_About Dr. Frank Laubach

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The tribes of the Belgian Congo called him Okombekombe, which means "mender of old baskets", because he taught adults to read and write.

Many knew him as the 'Apostle to the Illiterates'.  Lowell Thomas called him "the foremost teacher of our times". 

Frank Charles Laubach (1884-1970) was the leading pioneer of the contemporary adult literacy movement. Through his efforts as an educator, communicator and organizer, millions of poor and disenfranchised people around the world were empowered to improve their lives through literacy.

In 1930, Dr. Laubach was a missionary among the Maranao people of the Philippines. He was deeply concerned about the overwhelming poverty and injustice they suffered, and became convinced that the ability to read and write was essential for them to begin to solve their problems.

Using a basic instructional approach, Dr. Laubach found that even the most impoverished people could gain control of the written and spoken word. He discovered the potential of volunteers, as newly-literate Maranaos taught adult learners through a one-to-one instructional program that became known as "Each One Teach One." Dr. Laubach also demonstrated that literacy is an effective means for positive community mobilization and change.

In 1955, Dr. Laubach founded Laubach Literacy. This non-profit educational organization enables illiterate adults and older youths to gain the listening, speaking, reading, writing and math skills they need to solve problems they encounter in daily life; to take full advantage of opportunities in their environment; and to participate fully in the transformation of their society. (1)  In 2002, this group merged with Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. to form ProLiteracy Worldwide. (2)

EOTO – Each One Teach One

LVQ member groups use the EOTO method developed during the Depression by Dr. Frank Laubach, an American missionary working in the Philippines. The Each One Teach One (EOTO) method is based on the premise that anyone who can read and write can teach someone else to read and write.

Dr. Frank Laubach summarized what he believed were basic teaching principles by talking about “compassion”. (3)
  • C: Cut “no” out of your vocabulary.
  • O: Observe what your student knows: respect and build on this knowledge.
  • M: Make certain you respect his time; begin and end promptly.
  • P: Prepare your lessons carefully; confidence begets confidence.
  • A: Allow your student to progress at his own pace and to teach himself as much as possible.
  • S: See that your student gets honest praise and encouragement.
  • S: Save unnecessary chatter until after the lesson.
  • I: Introduce something new in every lesson.
  • O: Offer friendship and understanding, but avoid patronizing.
  • N: Notice and encourage ways in which your student can teach you.

Related Information

  1. Laubach Literacy of Ontario: www.laubach-on.ca
  2. Proliteracy Worldwide: www.proliteracy.org
  3. Laubach Literacy of Canada, Literacy Trainer Handbook (1992), pg. 162