View Content #23116

By Julie Sykes, CASLS Director

Literacy includes a wide array of reading and writing skills, all of which are equally important. Literacy skills span across modes of communication and communicative contexts.

This month in InterCom, we take a look at a number of approaches to literacy in language learning classrooms. Fundamental to each of these discussions in the notion that language learners need literacy skills spanning across modes and levels. While not exclusionary of the skills needed to read literary pieces or write academic papers, a comprehensive focus on literacy also examines reading and writing in informal analog contexts and digital genres.  In this spirit, we will explore ways to expand literary skills, write language according to context, and develop digital literacies critical to success in any work or social environment.  As you read this month, we encourage you expand the reading genres you include in your language classes, teach learners how to tweet, hashtag, and caption in their target language, and write a variety of types of pieces that range from formal academic analysis to poetry to fan fiction. As learners gain this comprehensive set of literacy skills, they will become well equipped to engage with a variety of contexts where literacy skills are needed.  A comprehensive approach to literacy sets them up for scenarios like their community internship where the first day on the job requires reading a formal training manual, analyzing a report, instant messaging on the interoffice system, sending emails, and posting to social media. 

Three fundamental assumptions guide our inclusion of literacy as a focus topic in InterCom this month.

1. Learners need to focus on a continuum of reading and writing genres to be successful in multilingual contexts. Explicit instruction on EACH of these genres should be embedded into language courses starting at the novice level.
2. Literacy is a complex skill that requires analysis of contextual assumptions, audience, form, lexicon, and content. When taught and evaluated as part of formal course work, all dimensions should be evaluated and prioritized equally, resisting the temptation to overemphasize grammar or lexicon as the primary drivers.
3. The digital world is shaping an increasingly large number of communicative contexts requiring complex literacy skills. Attention to these emerging genres and spaces is fundamental to ongoing success in a connected future.

We hope you enjoy this month’s theme and topic and look forward to examining many of these issues in the future.