The term ‘literacy’ is a complex one. It is a word where the meaning differs depending on context. In a school or learning setting it is connected to ideas of curriculum such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. UK’s National Literacy Trust defines it as “the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world” (2017, para.1). The Australian Curriculum defines it as developing “knowledge, skills and dispositions to interpret and use language confidently for learning and communicating in and out of school and for participating effectively in society” (n.d., para.2). The use of the words ‘effectively’ and ‘confidently’ in these definitions indicate the need for proficiency in the skills required to be literate.

The idea of proficiency is carried with the meaning when the term ‘literacy’ is used in conjunction with other terms such as ‘digital literacy’, ‘visual literacy’, ‘financial literacy’ and ‘critical literacy’, among many others. To be literate in any of these areas is to be proficient at using the skills associated with them to understand and/or communicate related concepts and ideas.

No matter how you define literacy, it is essential to living in our ever changing world.  

References

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (n.d.). What is Literacy?. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/national-literacy-and-numeracy-learning-progressions/national-literacy-learning-progression/what-is-literacy/

National Literacy Trust. (2017). What is literacy?. https://literacytrust.org.uk/information/what-is-literacy/