Literacy

I have asked several groups how they define literacy. Each has a different set of criteria to determine if a person is literate.

UNESCO describes literacy: "Literacy is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning to enable an individual to achieve his or her goals, to develop his or her knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in the wider society." (UNESCO - Literacy Assessment and Monitoring Programme [LAMP] 2004

Wikipedia provides "The traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write, or the ability to use language to read, write, listen, and speak. In modern contexts, the word refers to reading and writing at a level adequate for communication, or at a level that lets one understand and communicate ideas in a literate society, so as to take part in that society. " then quotes the UNESCO definition above.

Asking student teachers through to master teacher, the following themes provide an understanding of literacy.