BUILDING AND ENHANCING NEW LITERACIES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

DEFINITION OF
VARIOUS FORMS
OF LITERACIES
 The Arts and Creativity

Globalization and Multicultural

Literacy Ecoliteracy

21st Century
Literacies
Social/Emotional Literacies Cyberliteracy/Digital Literacy
(Information and ICT Knowledge)

Media Literacy Financial Literacy

CONVENTIONAL / TRADITONAL
LITERACIES
It deals with reading and writing skills of letters in a particular language.
It involves issues such as knowing the alphabet, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics
that govern the reading and writing skills in a conventional manner. McGee and Richgels (1996:30) describe the use of
conventional literacy in terms of the behavior manifested by readers.
“Conventional readers and writers read and write in ways that most people in our literate society recognize as ‘really’
reading and writing.
For example, they use a variety of reading strategies, know hundreds of sight words, read texts written in a variety of
structures, are aware of audience, monitor their own performances as writers and readers, and spell conventionally.”
FUNCTIONAL LITERACIES
A type of literacy that deals with application of conventional form of literacy such as reading and writing well
enough to understand signs, read newspaper headings, read labels on medicine bottles, make shopping lists, read
Bible, write letters, fill in forms, apply for jobs, practice the language skills verbally and in written form, reading for
pleasure and purposive writing.
Functional Literacy – A type or type of literacy that prepares an individual to engage in all those activities available
in his or her group and community and also for enabling him or her to continue to use reading, writing and
calculation for his or her own and the community’s development.
Functional literacy as noted by different scholars is used for different activities in the society. Gray (1956:21) notes:
Functional literacy is used for the training of adults to ‘meet independently the reading and writing demands placed
on them’. Currently, the phrase describes those approaches to literacy which stresses the acquisition of appropriate
verbal, cognitive, and computational skills to accomplish practical ends in culturally specific settings.
EARLY / EMERGENT LITERACY
A type of literacy that deals with the earliest behaviors that relate to a kind of literacy in form of the skills, knowledge, and
attitudes that are manifested before the actual conventional level of literacy is attained.
The term was first used in 1966 by a New Zealand researcher Marie Clay to describe the behaviors seen in young children
when they use books and writing materials to imitate reading and writing activities, even though the children cannot
actually read and write in the conventional sense (Ramsburg, 1998). Today the term has expanded in usage. Sulzby and
Teale (1996: 728) “Emergent literacy is concerned with the earliest phases of literacy development, the period between
birth and the time when children read and write conventionally. The term emergent literacy signals a belief that, in a
literate society, young children even one and two year olds, are in the process of becoming literate”.
BASIC LITERARY AND SKILLS
These refers to a type of knowledge that is expected to be known by everyone in a particular
field. In the world today, people expect everyone to know basics of conventional literacy that is
to know how to read and write. For example, everyone is expected to know how to read and
write as a basic literacy skill.
21ST CENTURY LITERACIES AND SKILLS

THE ARTS AND CREATIVITY

This literacy can be manifested in creative ways of problem-solving and expressed
through the production of various artworks. Teachers and students need to be more
adept in the arts and manifest creativity in multiple activities.
Ecoliteracy

It entails acquiring knowledge about climate change, pollution, loss of natural

habitats, and biodiversity and the impacts of environmental problems on human
lives. Moreover, solutions on how these ecological problems could be addressed
must also be practiced. Teachers and students need to develop an awareness of
the environment.

CYBERLITERACY / DIGITAL LITERACY
(INFORMATION AND ICT KNOWLEDGE)
This competency is based on the reality that societies and workplaces have now
become more information - driven. Workplaces of the 21st century rely heavily on
electronic (digital) forms of data storage and management as well as in the area of
communications. Teachers and students need to develop familiarity and skills in
using computers, the internet, and other information technologies.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Teachers and students are expected to be knowledgeable about the basics of
economics and financial management. This way, you, as a teacher, can extend the
skill into livelihood activities, entrepreneurship, and wise handling of personal
finances.
MEDIA LITERACY
Teachers and students are expected to be knowledgeable and skilled in the area of
communications particularly in media. Teachers and students must learn how to
discern news and information based on the form and content as to how these
information are transmitted via various forms of media.
Social / emotional literacies
You and your students need to acquire social skills that are attuned to the norms of
your current society. Emotional intelligence must also be developed to effectively
manage the stresses of a fast paced 21st century society.
Globalization and multicultural
literacy
You and your students need to develop a culture of respect to cultural diversity.
There is value in having a perspective as a global citizen whose local actions can
have an impact on the broader international arena. You also have to understand
how world events may also affect you and your community at the local level.
Century competencies
1. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
- Ability to identify, analyze and evaluate situations, ideas and information, to
formulate responses and solutions.

2. Creativity

- Ability to imagine and devise new, innovative ways of addressing problems,

answering questions, or expressing meaning through the application, synthesis,
or repurposing of knowledge.
Century competencies
3. Communication

- Ability to listen to, understand, convey and contextualize information through

verbal, nonverbal, visual and written means.

4. Collaboration

- Ability to work in a team towards a common goal, including the ability to

prevent and manage conflict.
Related topic:
Literacy has evolved from “the ability to read and use printed materials at an
extremely basic level” to “using printed and written information to function in
society, to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential”.

Ernie. (2019, April 03). Literacy in Education. Retrieved October 23, 2020, from https:
//www.slideserve.com/ernie/literacy-in-education-powerpoint-ppt-presentation
RELATED TOPICS
According to Madelyn Love, Literacy encompasses the knowledge and skills students need to access, understand, evaluate and
analyse information. It allows students to make meaning, express thoughts and emotions, present ideas and opinions, interact with
others and participate in activities both in school, and outside.

On the other hand, Literacy in the 21st Century- Teaching the 4C’s are the communication, collaboration, critical thinking and
creativity. In communication, it is focused on writing and conversations. Collaboration is the place for team building, brainstorming
or with the help of “teamwork”. Critical Thinking - compare/contrast, problem solving and a place where students can learn their
own strategies to solve the problem. In Creativity, a place for designing, innovating and aesthetics.

Literacies in the 21st Century. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2020, from https://prezi.com/p/rdtrbdepbbma/literacies-in-the-21st-century/

Literacy in the 21st Century- Teaching the 4C's. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2020, from https://prezi.com/p4fnkijmgyxg/literacy-in-the-21st-century-
teaching-the-4cs/
REFLECTION:
Why we need to build and enhance new literacies across the curriculum?

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THANK YOU!