Framework of Textual Complexity for Low-Literacy Adults: Levels and Descriptors within the iRead4skill Project

This paper presents the iRead4Skills framework of textual complexity, a novel approach to text difficulty tailored to low-literacy adult native speakers. Recognizing the pivotal role of literacy in personal and professional development, this framework addresses the challenges of identifying and adapting texts for this demographic. Integrating lexical, syntactic, and cohesion features, the framework delineates three levels of text complexity – Very Easy, Easy, and Plain – roughly aligned with the CEFR levels A1, A2, and B1. It bridges theoretical research and practical application by combining quantitative and qualitative measures, ensuring a robust and contextually relevant analysis of textual complexity. Key contributions include the framework’s alignment with authentic texts, language-specific adaptations for French, Portuguese, and Spanish, and its validation by experts in Adult Learning and Vocational Education and Training. By framing complexity as a continuum, it accommodates the heterogeneity of low-literacy adults while providing a scalable tool for educators and researchers. Practical applications of the framework encompass innovative tools such as a text complexity evaluation system and a writing assistant for text adaptation, addressing gaps in suitable reading materials for low-literacy adults. This research offers valuable insights for cross-linguistic studies on text complexity, paving the way for future exploration in literacy and text complexity frameworks.