Building

Literacies
Dr. Harold O. Buenvenida
 LITERACY
The word literacy is defined as the ability to read,
write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us
communicate effectively and make sense of the
world.

In modern educational and social contexts, literacy

extends beyond basic reading and writing skills to
include the ability to understand, interpret, create,
and communicate effectively in various forms.
 Literacy
From the word “literate” and
again from the Latin literatus-
which means a person marked
with letters.
It carried an attribute that such
a person is cultured, and
educated- able to read and
write.
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A conventional understanding of
literacy highlights the technical
skills of reading and writing,
which are closely linked to formal
education and academic
advancement (Edwards & Potts,
2008).

UNESCO (2006) asserts that literacy

is most commonly understood as
a set of tangible cognitive skills,
specifically reading and writing.
Miller (1973) subdivided literacy into three categories

1. Basic Literacy – This refers to the ability to use

correspondences between visual symbols and spoken
sounds to decode written materials and translate them
into oral language.

2. Comprehension Literacy – This involves the

capacity to understand the meaning of verbal
materials, beyond merely decoding written text.

3. Functional or Practical Literacy – This is the

ability to read, decode, and comprehend materials
necessary for performing everyday vocational tasks.

The traditional view tends to exclude broader

understandings of literacy, such as knowledge,
competence, or expertise in a specialized area.
Literacy can be defined narrowly or broadly. In a broad sense, literacy
refers to a form of knowledge, competence, and skills in a particular field
or area. For example, digital literacy, media literacy, legal literacy,
computer literacy, medical literacy, environmental literacy, and
information literacy, among others.

a person is literate when he has acquired the essential

knowledge and skills which enable him to engage in all
those activities in which literacy is required for effective
functioning in his group and community, and whose
attainments in reading writing and arithmetic make it
possible for him to continue to use these skills towards his
own and the community's development and active
participation in the life of his country
The Zambian Government National Literacy Framework
points out that literacy is key to successful learning at
school and is an element for active participation in
social, economic, cultural, and political life.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and

Development (OECD, 2000) defined literacy as “the
ability to understand and employ printed information in
daily activities at home, at work and in the community –
to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge
and potential.

Alberta, Literacy First 2010) defined literacy as

acquiring, creating, connecting, and meaning in a wide
 How is Literacy
acquired?
Literacy acquisition is a gradual
process influenced by various factors,
including cognitive development,
exposure to language, educational
opportunities, and socio-cultural
contexts.
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•Emergent Literacy (Infancy to Early Childhood):
Exposure to spoken language, pictures, and symbols lays the
foundation for reading and writing.

•Early Literacy (Preschool to Early Elementary):

Children begin recognizing letters, words, and sounds,
developing basic decoding and comprehension skills.

•Fluent Literacy (Later Elementary to Adulthood):

Individuals refine reading and writing abilities, expanding
vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

•Advanced Literacy (Higher Education and Professional

Life): Involves specialized literacy skills, including analytical
 Cognitive Perspective: Views literacy as a set
of skills that individuals must acquire to function
in society

Social Perspective: Considers literacy as a

social practice shaped by societal contexts.

Literacy Cultural Perspective: Literacy as a part

of the culture, history, and heritage
Perspectives
Critical Literacy Perspective: Encourages
questioning of texts, media, and societal
structures, promoting empowerment and social
change.

Multiliteracies Perspective: Recognizes multiple

forms of literacy beyond print, including visual,
digital, and multimodal literacy.
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If literacy means
to be able to read
and write…
我看不懂中文
나는 한국어를 읽을 수 없다

ฉันไม่สามารถ
อ่านภาษาไทยได้
If one is not able to
read and write in one
language, are they
illiterate in that
language?
A New Paradigm
 New Literacies
Media, Cyber & Global,
Digital Transnational & Artistic &
Multicultural Creative

Environmental
Tool & Technology
/ Eco & Planet
 Importance of Literacy

Literacy plays a crucial role in

personal, academic, and
professional success. It enables
individuals to access information,
engage in critical thinking, and
participate effectively in society.
High literacy rates contribute to
economic growth, social
development, and informed
citizenship.
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Globalization
and Cultural
Literacies
 What is
Globalization
?
An economic
phenomenon?
A social phenomenon?
A cultural
phenomenon?
The movement towards the expansion of economic and social ties
between countries through the spread of corporate institutions and the
capitalist philosophy leads to the shrinking of the world in economic
terms.
Globalization a quantitative and
qualitative change
not only economic
• Space - extensiveness of
global networks

• Regularity - intensity of
global interactions

• Speed - velocity of global

flows

• Depth – impact of global

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interconnections on quality of
When did
globalization
begin?
Learning Society
The term Learning Society was
introduced by Torsten Husen in 1971.
Learning Society is empowering the
role of society and family in the field of
education.

1. Learning starts in the home

2. Society should be empowered to
continue teaching the person.
3. The government has the
Learning Society
responsibility is interpreted
to educate the as the community that serves to
educate,
citizenry.namely when the education process runs for all
members of the community through daily interactions that are
always nuanced and invite good and forbid evil.
Global Literacy
Global literacy is the ability to understand, engage with, and
navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. It
involves having the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary
to participate responsibly and effectively in a global society.
According to the Asia Society based in New York City, to work, produce,
and participate in a global society, young people need:

• Knowledge of other world regions, cultures, and global/international

issues
• Skills in communicating and collaborating in cross-cultural
environments and in languages other than English, and in using
information from different sources around the world, and
• Values of respect and concern for other cultures, peoples, and places.
Key aspects of global literacy include:
1.Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity – Understanding and appreciating diverse
cultures, values, and perspectives.

2.Global Knowledge – Being informed about world issues, international events, and
global systems such as politics, economies, and environmental concerns.

3.Intercultural Communication Skills – The ability to communicate effectively

and respectfully with people from different backgrounds.

4.Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving – Evaluating global issues and

considering various perspectives to find creative and sustainable solutions.

5.Social Responsibility – Recognizing the impact of individual and collective

actions on the world and making ethical, informed decisions.

6.Adaptability – Being flexible and open to change in a rapidly evolving global

environment.