Is+Literacy+Important?

=**When we think of literacy, we automatically think of reading. Does this still hold true or do we need to redefine literacy beyond the traditional framework?**=

Literacy involves reading and comprehending Yes literacy is very important in today's society. We only have to reflect back on adds placed in the papers advertising for Garbage men where one of the requirements is a secondary school certificate.

Although 'reading' comes to mind when we hear the word literacy mentioned, I think it goes far beyond just reading. It helps to shape minds and society for the future.

I think that the term literacy should be redefine because it entails much more than just reading.

The social accepted ways of using language, having meta-cognitive and linguistic skills, requires exposing persons beyond just reading books. In order for people to be successful and functional in society they need to undergo various experiences for learning acquisitions in and out of their homes. Therefore, we need to redefine literacy to not only be the understanding of print, but to include the way in how we act and talk to communicate the use of language intertwined with thinking. ( Terry-Ann)

Literacy involves reading, comprehension, assimilation of ideas/information and possibly a change of behaviour according to what has been learnt. (Doristeen Etinoff)