This article aims at carrying out a contrastive analysis of reading practices constructed by students and teachers in an Adult Education classroom in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In order to do so, we analyzed discursive interactions in which these practices were constructed. We highlighted what counted as reading in this classroom and the senses and meanings produced in these literacy events. This research has helped us to understand what and how participants read, who they read to, when and where they read and what were the similarities and differences between reading practices experienced by students and teachers. We demonstrated that different conceptions of literacy result in different social reading practices and learning opportunities. We intended to contribute towards an improved process of teaching and learning of reading, so it can become more significant, guided by the recognition of the particular characteristics and needs of adults who constitute themselves in shared learning contexts.
Adult Education; Social practices of reading; Contrasts.
